Bicarbonate of Soda

Though a lot of you may assume that bicarbonate of soda and baking soda are the same thing, there is a slight difference between the two. Bicarbonate of soda is a leavening agent that is used in cooking, cleaning, and even for personal health care. It is pure, in that it needs an acidic agent to make it work particularly as a leavening agent in recipes, in order to expand the food or make it rise. As such, you may use this product in recipes that call for the use of acidic agents such as lemon juice, buttermilk, or honey. On the other hand, baking soda already has this acidic agent, and does not require the use of such agents. The difference is that when used particularly in cooking, bicarbonate of soda gives the food a tangy flavor, and also enhances the texture and overall appearance of the food, while baking soda is simply an unflavored leavening agent. Its use as an ingredient in various recipes is only one of the uses of bicarbonate of soda. There are numerous other uses of this agent that have been discussed here.

Uses

You will be surprised at the immense uses of bicarbonate of soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate), and all that it can do for you in various areas. Here's an extensive list.

• Heartburn: You can easily use bicarbonate of soda for heartburn by adding 1/4 teaspoon in a glass of warm water. Not only heartburn, it will help you rid yourself of indigestion and flatulence.
• Natural Deodorizer: Rubbing some bicarbonate of soda on your underarms will help you rid yourself of any body odor, as will sprinkling some in your shoes to avoid foot odor.
• Cleaning Stainless Steel: Simply sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda on any stainless steel appliance, and clean it with a damp cloth. It will get rid of any stains such as those made by water droplets.
• Natural Mouth Freshener: In a glass of water, add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and gargle. Not only does this freshen your mouth and prevent bad odors, it also keeps it relatively germ free. Brushing your teeth with a pinch of bicarbonate of soda will help whiten your teeth too.
• Cleaning Cookware: If there is any burnt food left on your cookware, fill it up with water and add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Let it soak overnight and clean it in the morning.
• Soothing Rashes and Itching: For this purpose, bicarbonate of soda can be used in two ways. One, you can make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, and apply it on the affected area. Two, you can add half a cup of bicarbonate of soda in a bucket full of lukewarm water, and take a bath with it. Both ways, the effect will be soothing and relieving.
• Cleaning Hair of Build-Up: Mix one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda with the shampoo you use to wash your hair, to clear it of any build up that may have occurred on your scalp. Do this once a week for best results.

If you can see from these uses, bicarbonate of soda is something that has immense cleaning as well as healing properties. Further, its natural abilities to deodorize almost anything make it a great ingredient you can use to get rid of odor in your closets, garbage disposal, cat litter, etc. Also, you may add some bicarbonate of soda in your dish wash cycle, as well as while washing white clothes and linen in the washing machine. Though its uses are very similar to the uses of baking soda as they have very similar properties, as mentioned earlier, these are two different products.

Studies have shown that bicarbonate of soda has been used by athletes and sportspersons to enhance their performance. By taking a spoonful before the event, they believe that their body can perform much better due to raised energy levels. However, there is no scientific proof to back this, and experts suggest that this may be nothing more than a placebo effect. In fact, athletes have also experienced some side effects, particularly because they have consumed more than the appropriate dosage. These side effects include nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort.

There has also been one odd case where bicarbonate of soda has been used for cancer treatment. The basis is that cancer is a fungus that can be eradicated by the use of this agent. However, such cases are rare and extensive studies have to be carried out into this field to prove this.

As you can see, there are numerous uses of this product in a lot of areas, including personal health and cleanliness. Of course, the fact that it is used to create some delicious goodies cannot be forgotten. Simply look for it at your chemist or even at a supermarket. Some Chinese supermarkets are known to be able to provide a bulk at a discounted rate. Use this miraculous agent for any of the aforementioned purposes. It is cheap, and a very effective one at that!