Does drinking baking soda help you lose weight?
In recent weeks, a strange trend has been running on social networks, like TikTok: drinking a solution based on baking soda to lose weight. Is this new fashion, which has spread like wildfire on the Internet, really effective? What are its effects and dangers?
What is baking soda?
Also known as sodium bicarbonate or sodium acid carbonate, bicarbonate is awhite, crystalline and powdery ionic compound. It is anacidic salt, which reacts in contact with other chemical substances.
There are actually three types of baking soda:
- technical bicarbonate, used to manufacture detergents and cleaning products;
- baking soda, used in cooking to allow the rise ofbreaddough or cake appliances;
- bicarbonate, finer and purer, which can be used for food or body care purposes, for example.
The growing popularity ofgrandmother’s remedies and homemadepreparations (cleaning products, cosmetics…) has gradually propelled this obsolete ingredient to the forefront of the scene. Also, today, it is difficult to find a family that does not have one in its kitchen or bathroom.
TikTok trend: could drinking baking soda make you lose weight?
Let’s now come back to the slimming trick circulating on the networks for several weeks. The “miracle” recipe consists ofmixing water, baking soda and Himalayansalt todrink the beverage at will, all day long, to ensurerapid weight lossand a reduction of cellulite. The mixture would also have other virtues: it would promote digestion,detoxifythe body, rehydrate the body and act as an “appetite suppressant”.
So what about this trend?
Health professionals are unanimous: it is totally wrong , even dangerous :
- certainly, Baking Soda Has a Slightappetite suppressant effect , but its effects are limited in time ;
- consuming large amounts of a sodium bicarbonate-salt mixture can have an impact on sodium/potassium homeostasis and possibly cause Hypernatremia (too high blood sodium levels), or even kidney failure ;
- with regard to cellulite, it is a Multifactorial Phenomenon and cannot be solved by the simple absorption of baking soda. ;
- daily consumption of the mixture can cause serious gastrointestinal problems , such as gas, bloating , digestive discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea;
- Baking Soda has another property ofreducing the concentration of certain molecules in the blood ; thus it can lessen the effects of certain medications and is therefore not recommended for people on long-term treatment;
- people with Heart problemsgoldHigh blood pressure should moderate their salt intake – and baking soda contains its dose!
You will have understood: the baking soda recipe, widely broadcast on TikTok, should in no case be adopted, because it absolutely does not guarantee weight loss .
Bicarbonate can be consumed occasionally, in small quantities, for example to facilitate digestiontag. Just a teaspoon in a glass of water with a little lemonjuice to soothe heaviness and Heartburntag. But not more!
What alternative to lose weight?
Sustainable and safe weight loss can only be achieved by adopting a healthy lifestyletag. This is based on hygiene and dietary measures known to all:
- a varied, balanced and non-excess diet , made of unprocessed, home-cooked foods;
- respect for feelings of hunger and satiety ;
- the daily practice of a Physical Activity ;
- ;
- avoidance of stressful situationsSituations;
- sufficient and restorative sleep;
- medical follow-up to detect possible “hidden” causes of weight gain (underlying pathology, hormonal imbalance , side effects of drug treatment).
As for cellulite, as previously explained, it is multifactorial and affects up to 90% of women. It is the conjunction of an adipocyte overload, a weakness of the veno-lymphatic circulation and a degradation of the tissue structure. To reduce it, it is again necessary to adopt somegeneral hygiene measures :
- a balanced and varied diet, low in fast sugars , saturated fats and salt;
- regular physical activity, if possible targeted to the affected areas;
- maintaining good venous and lymphatic circulation, by a few simple measures (avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, regular walking, wearing loose clothing, avoiding heat, cool showers, raising the legs in the evening…);
- follow-up by a gynecologist and/or endocrinologist (hormonal data having a major role to play in the occurrence of cellulite);
- regular massages,palpate-roll typetype;
- possibly sessions, but only in case of proven water retention, the cause of aqueous cellulite.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.