As you begin to research various natural solutions that can be used in order to help combat candida overgrowth, the use of baking soda gets brought frequently.  Many claim that baking soda can help to inhibit the growth of candida and cleanse the digestive tract.

However, is taking baking soda internally actually healthy?  Also, should those with candida overgrowth consider taking baking soda in order to help combat their candida problem?

We’ve answered all these questions in the post below plus more.  In fact, by the end, you will have a better understanding as to what baking soda is and if it’s actually beneficial for candida overgrowth.

What is Baking Soda?

Before we begin to talk about the use of baking soda for candida overgrowth, it’s first important to understand what baking soda even is.  Many are completely unaware of what and where this white powdery substance comes from.

Baking soda is the result of a chemical reaction between sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion.  It should be mentioned that nowhere in nature does baking soda occur naturally.

That being said, there are several different uses for baking soda that can be extremely helpful.  For example, baking soda can replace all harmful soaps and be used to wash your dishes.  It makes for the perfect cleaning agent due to its low toxicity and lack of harmful chemicals.

Although many recipes call for the use of baking soda, this is typically in very small amounts.  Taking large amounts of this substance is bit suspect and could lead to unwanted side effects in the body.

Baking Soda and Candida – The Theory

Those who promote the use of baking soda in order to prevent candida growth in the body claim that baking soda helps to raise the PH of the body.  This increase in PH is said to inhibit the growth of candida since it has been theorized that this pathogenic fungus prefers an acidic environment.

However, anyone who knows basic biology and human physiology, understands that raising the body’s PH is impossible.  In fact, if you did, death would be the result.  The body has various systems in place in order to keep the blood between a PH of 7.35 and 7.45. 

Those claiming that foods or diet can raise the body’s PH are either lying or misinformed.  As mentioned, we would not be able to survive if there was any drop or rise in this fixed PH.

Furthermore, various parts of the body require acidity, while other parts require a higher PH.  For example, in order for optimal health, the stomach should have a PH between 1.5 and 2.0.  Those with poor digestion, acid reflux, bloating, and burping oftentimes suffer from an overly alkaline stomach.  On the contrary, like blood, the mouth has a PH of around 7.5.  Any changes in this PH can result in negative changes to the teeth.

That all being said, the body is a complex system.  Claiming that candida cannot survive in an alkaline environment is ill advised in our opinion.  Furthermore, baking soda was never a part of the diet of our ancestors, yet, they showed no signs of struggling with this pathogenic fungal overgrowth.

Baking Soda Raises Stomach PH

Have you ever noticed what happens when you mix an acid with baking soda?  The baking soda creates a reaction and begins to neutralize the acid.  As a result, knowing that the stomach is naturally acidic, what do you think will happen when you ingest large amounts of baking soda?

For those considering supplementing their diet with baking soda, we highly encourage you to read over our post on the importance of stomach acid.  Purposely neutralizing stomach acid is never a good practice and the majority of the time will result in undesired side effects.

Instead, we should be taking every step possible in order to maximize our stomach acid production.  It’s well known that as we age our stomach acid production naturally drops.  With that said, if candida prefers an acidic environment, then why is candida overgrowth typically experienced later in our life and not as children?

Also, it’s well known that conditions such as acid reflux, bloating, indigestion, and burping are common signs of low stomach acid production. When we have an acidic stomach and good stomach production, we are able to properly breakdown our foods without issue.  However, as the PH rises, we soon begin to experience various unwanted digestive symptoms.

Furthermore, it’s well known that candida, as well as other pathogens such as h. pylori, will actually release small amounts of ammonia (1)(2).  If this fungus truly preferred an acidic environment then why would it release one of the most alkaline substances on earth? 

In fact, this ammonia production can actually diminish the production of stomach acid in the body.  It’s for this reason that those suffering with this pathogenic fungal overgrowth oftentimes experience severe digestive symptoms.

All that being said, baking soda will naturally counteract stomach acid which can lead to various health problems.  In our opinion and based on human physiology, the stomach should always have a low PH for optimal health.

Could Contribute to Dehydration

As mentioned before, baking soda is created through the chemical reaction between sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion.  This can be problematic since excess sodium can lead to dehydration in the body.  

Also, the sodium found in baking soda is much different then what you would find in sea water or sea salt.  Sodium found in sea salt is bound to chloride and comes attached to wide array of minerals that help to balance out the sodium.

Baking soda contains just sodium.  It’s devoid of minerals and can create imbalances in the body if taken long term.  Many report excessive thirst after drinking large amounts of baking soda.  This is mainly due to the high amounts of sodium.

As a result, taking this white substance daily can actually dehydrate the body and further complicate issues.

Beyond Baking Soda – Correct Diet

Instead of ingesting large amounts of baking soda in hopes to get rid of this pathogenic fungus, we highly encourage you to follow a correct diet.  When the diet is correct, this pathogenic fungus is unable to thrive and multiply in the body.

In fact, those following a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates are providing the perfect building blocks for candida to thrive in the body.  It’s these types of diets that can give rise to candida in the first place.

Those suffering with candida overgrowth need to focus their attention on consuming high quality animal foods.  Animal foods are completely devoid of sugar and cannot feed candida.  Meat has been the staple in mans diet for hundreds and thousands of years.  It wasn’t until the boom in agriculture that we began to experience degenerative health problems such as candida overgrowth.

Also, animal protein provides the body with every single vitamin, mineral, and amino acid needed for survival.  This isn’t to say that carbohydrates are bad, in fact, the consumption of starchy tubers was very common among various tribes and cultures prior to the agriculture revolution.  However, high quality animal foods should form the base of the diet while plant foods should serve as supplemental items.

For more information in regards to diet and candida, be sure to visit our Candida Diet Protocol Page for more information.  Here you will find everything you need to know about the best and worst foods for candida overgrowth.

Conclusion – Should You Use Baking Soda

In our opinion, baking soda should not be used in order to try and combat candida overgrowth.  The consumption of baking soda can have a negative effect on stomach acid levels in the body.  As mentioned above, maintaining adequate levels of stomach acid is crucial for anyone dealing with candida overgrowth, or for those seeking optimal health.

Without the proper amounts of stomach acid, we are unable to properly breakdown our food and extract the necessary vitamins and minerals.  Also, digestive disorders are rampant among those dealing with chronically low levels of stomach acid.

In our opinion, there are much better solutions in order to combat this pathogenic fungus.  That being said, baking soda does have its uses, however, we do not recommend you ever take it internally.