3 reasons to avoid the baking soda trick for men

Here are three key reasons men should think twice before trying the baking soda trick for men:

1. Risk of Metabolic Alkalosis and Electrolyte Imbalance

Taking baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in “home remedy” doses can push your blood pH too high, causing metabolic alkalosis. Normally, your kidneys and lungs keep your blood pH tightly controlled, but large amounts of bicarbonate overwhelm these systems.

• How it happens
– Baking soda dissociates into sodium (Na⁺) and bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻).
– Excess HCO₃⁻ raises blood pH above the normal 7.35–7.45 range.

• Possible symptoms
– Muscle twitching or cramps (low calcium availability)
– Hand tremors, lightheadedness, numbness around the mouth
– Confusion, seizures in severe cases

• Why it matters
– Metabolic alkalosis can reduce oxygen delivery to tissues.
– Long-term imbalances strain kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

Even in controlled medical settings, doctors monitor acid–base status carefully when giving bicarbonate (de Brito-Ashurst et al., 2009). Self-medicating with baking soda offers no such safeguards.

2. Sodium Overload, Fluid Retention and High Blood Pressure

A single teaspoon of baking soda contains more than 1,200 mg of sodium—over half the daily recommended limit for most adults. Flooding your body with sodium can overwhelm your kidneys’ ability to excrete it, leading to:

• Fluid retention
– Swelling in ankles, legs, hands
– Worsening of existing heart failure or kidney disease

• Elevated blood pressure
– Increased cardiovascular risk over time
– Strain on blood vessels, heart muscle

• Acceleration of kidney damage
– In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), controlled bicarbonate supplementation can slow progression of kidney damage (de Brito-Ashurst et al., 2009).
– Unsupervised, high-dose baking soda can have the opposite effect—pushing kidneys beyond their filtration capacity and accelerating decline.

If you already have hypertension, heart disease or early CKD, adding that much sodium without medical oversight can be dangerous.

3. Gastrointestinal Distress and Potential Liver-Related Complications

Acid–base changes in your gut can disrupt normal digestion and flora balance, leading to:

• Bloating, gas and diarrhea
– Bicarbonate rapidly neutralizes stomach acid, impairing protein digestion.
– Sudden shifts in pH can trigger spasms and cramping.

• Increased risk of gastric upset or ulcers
– Frequent pH swings weaken the stomach’s protective lining.

• Potential worsening of liver disease complications
– In cirrhosis, fluid retention (ascites) is already a big problem (Tsochatzis et al., 2014). Excess sodium exacerbates ascites and edema.
– Metabolic alkalosis can reduce breathing drive, increasing ammonia buildup and risk of hepatic encephalopathy (Castera et al., 2005; Tsochatzis et al., 2014).

Men with any sign of liver dysfunction (jaundice, abdominal swelling, easy bruising) risk tipping from manageable to life-threatening complications by trying high-dose baking soda.

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If you’re experiencing any troubling symptoms—shortness of breath, severe swelling, confusion, persistent stomach pain—you might consider doing a free, online symptom check for to get a quick sense of urgency.

Above all, never ignore signs that something serious may be wrong. Speak to a doctor before trying home remedies that could be life threatening or lead to lasting damage.