Baking Soda for Heartburn: Why Sources Advise Caution
Baking soda for heartburn checked: what Poison Control and the NHS say about stomach gas, sodium and rupture, and when heartburn needs a clinician.
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Safety first
Poison Control's advice is plain: do not use baking soda as a homemade antacid. [1] Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. When swallowed it rapidly makes a large volume of carbon dioxide, which Poison Control says can cause dangerous pressure in the stomach. [1] If someone has swallowed baking soda and feels unwell, or a child has eaten some, use Poison Control's online tool or call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). For severe stomach pain, collapse, seizure or trouble breathing, call 911.The claim as marketed
A common home-remedy claim is that a drink of baking soda in water settles heartburn and indigestion. Poison Control agrees it has an effect: it says baking soda will temporarily reduce stomach acid. [1] The question is safety, not whether it neutralizes acid. This page gives no mixing or amount instructions.What the sources say
| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Does it reduce stomach acid? | Poison Control: temporarily. [1] | Established (poison center statement) |
| Is it a safe homemade antacid? | Poison Control says not to use baking soda to treat stomach upsets without specific direction from a health care provider. [1] | Evidence of harm |
| Is there a better option? | Poison Control says over-the-counter antacids such as calcium carbonate work in a similar way but are much safer. [1] | Poison center advice |
| Do antacids fix the cause? | The NHS says antacids can relieve symptoms for a few hours but do not treat the underlying cause, and long-term use is not recommended. [2] | Established (NHS statement) |
We did not find or read clinical trials of homemade baking soda drinks for heartburn in the sources used here. Proper evidence not found, after reading the Poison Control and NHS pages cited.
Documented harms
- Stomach rupture. Poison Control says stomach ruptures can occur with baking soda use after alcohol binging or a large meal. [1] It describes one woman who drank half a glass of sodium bicarbonate after a large meal and was found to have a 5 cm (2 inch) tear in her stomach. [1] This is a single case report from Poison Control's article, not a rate.
- Too much sodium and bicarbonate. Early signs of too much are vomiting and diarrhea. After absorption, high sodium can cause seizures, dehydration and kidney failure. [1]
- Children. Keep baking soda out of reach of children. [1]
Who should ask first
The NHS says sodium bicarbonate is one ingredient found in some antacid medicines. [2] It advises speaking to a pharmacist or GP before taking antacids if you:- are pregnant or breastfeeding (most antacids are considered safe, but get advice first) [2]
- are looking for a medicine for a child under 12 [2]
- have liver disease, kidney disease or heart failure [2]
- need to control salt in your diet, such as with high blood pressure or cirrhosis, since some antacids contain high levels of sodium [2]
- take other medicines, because antacids can interfere with them [2]
See How Interactions Work, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding and Kidney Disease and Supplements. A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person. If your prescriber recommended sodium bicarbonate tablets, Poison Control says to use them only as directed. [1]
When heartburn needs a clinician
The NHS says a pharmacist can recommend medicines for indigestion. [3] It also advises seeing a GP if you keep getting indigestion, are in severe pain, have lost a lot of weight without meaning to, have difficulty swallowing, or have bloody vomit or poo. [3] The NHS says antacids are not recommended for long-term use and to speak to a GP if you need them regularly. [2] For more, see Heartburn, Acid Reflux and GERD and Digestive Symptoms: Red Flags.Related pages
Baking Soda: Household Uses and Health Claims Checked covers other uses. Natural Substances Not Meant to Be Swallowed lists similar cautions.Frequently asked questions
Is baking soda a safe antacid?
Poison Control says not to use baking soda as a homemade antacid, and notes safer over-the-counter options exist. [1]
Can baking soda damage the stomach?
Poison Control says stomach ruptures can occur after use following alcohol binging or a large meal. [1]
Is sodium bicarbonate the same as baking soda?
Yes. Poison Control says baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. [1]
Who should avoid antacids with a lot of sodium?
The NHS advises asking a pharmacist or GP first if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart failure, high blood pressure or cirrhosis. [2]
When should I see a doctor about heartburn?
The NHS lists persistent indigestion, severe pain, unplanned weight loss, difficulty swallowing and bloody vomit or poo. [3]
References
- Poison Control (America’s Poison Centers). My child got into the baking soda: Risks and treatment. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK). Antacids. Page last reviewed 24 March 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK). Indigestion. Page last reviewed 05 May 2023. Read 2026-10-23.