Baking soda has been framed and it must be
cleared of guilt.
The first thing necessary in assuring you have
quality baking soda is to verify that it states 100%
sodium bicarbonate on the package.
Bob's Red Mill is one company who people falsely believe
manufacture more of an aluminum free baking soda than other
companies. Really? As opposed to aluminum in which other brand
of baking soda?
Great marketing, but it's simply not true.
Why The
Confusion?
The confusion arose about a decade ago when people starting
mistaking the processing of baking powder for baking
soda and some companies then jumped on the bandwagon.
If you're going to look for the words
aluminum-free, look for it on
baking powder, not
baking soda.
Both baking soda and baking powder can be used as
leavening agents, which means they can be added to baked goods
before cooking to produce carbon dioxide and cause them to
'rise'.
-
Baking powder contains baking soda, but
the two substances are not the same and used under
different conditions.
-
Baking powder contains sodium
bicarbonate, but it includes the acidifying agent
already (cream of tartar), and also a drying agent
(usually starch).
Typical formulations of baking powder call for,
Baking powders are available both with and
without aluminum compounds.
Some people prefer not to use baking powder with
aluminum because it gives food a vaguely metallic taste and of
course there are associated health concerns with any increase in
aluminum in our diets.
Most baking powders show similar performance when put to the
test.
This may be a result of the FDA regulations that
require all baking powders to release at least 12% CO2
coupled with the constraints imposed by the acid-base chemistry
itself, leading to only small differences in the amount of gas
released from each brand.
In other words, aside from the concerns over
aluminum, we should reasonably expect double-acting baking
powders from the leading brands to be interchangeable with each
other in recipes.
Are There
Differences Between Baking Sodas?
Not really. Definitely not enough to justify spending extra
dollars on any claims made regarding aluminum.
Arm and Hammers Baking Soda is
as aluminum free as
Bob's Red Mill, which
advertises itself specifically to be aluminum free, and in the
process has convinced most people that Arm and Hammers has
aluminum when it does not.
There is typically no process in the
manufacturing of baking soda that will allow it to retain
aluminum.
Baking soda can be prepared using via reaction of sodium
chloride, ammonia, and carbon dioxide in water. However, pure
product is obtained from sodium carbonate, water and carbon
dioxide through different reactions.
Arm & Hammer baking soda
uses a chemical reaction process
through which
trona ore is mined, then heated
until it turns into soda ash.
The sodium bicarbonate contained in 8-oz boxes of Arm and
Hammer Baking Soda is sufficiently constant in weight that
dissolves in water to a given volume, and yields a
quantitatively acceptable therapeutic solution of sodium
bicarbonate at a cost of approximately 3 percent of that of
pharmacy- weighed sodium bicarbonate.
Bob's Red Mill costs $2.61 a pound and Arm and Hammers
costs less making it the least expensive medicine in the world.
Sodium bicarbonate is widely available in most
supermarkets and discount chains across the country at a cost of
just over $2 per pound.
6 Ways Baking Soda
Such a Powerful Medicinal Agent?
Bicarbonate is an alkaline substance naturally produced in the
body that buffers acids and helps keep pH in check.
The pH of your blood is tightly regulated by a complex system of
buffers that are continuously at
work to maintain a range of 7.35 to 7.45,
which is slightly more alkaline than pure water.
However, the close you can get to 7.45, the
better your body will be in a state to ward off disease.
Baking soda is very effective when mixed with water to be used
as an antacid to treat acid indigestion and heartburn. It is
also used as the medicinal ingredient in gripe water for
infants.
It can be effectively used intravenously as an aqueous solution
that is used for cases of acidosis, or when there are
insufficient sodium or bicarbonate ions in the blood.
1) Kidney Disease
In one study, British researchers treated patients with
advanced kidney disease and metabolic acidosis with oral
sodium bicarbonate in conjunction with their usual treatment
for two years.
The sodium bicarbonate
slowed the rate of decline
in kidney function by two-thirds, and just 6.5 percent of
the patients treated with sodium bicarbonate required
dialysis by the end of the study, compared to 33 percent in
a control group.
Discuss this with your physician and
encourage him to look into this promising therapy, which can
slow the progression of this devastating disease.
2) Cancer
Studies have shown that
dietary measures to boost bicarbonate levels can
increase the pH of acidic tumors without upsetting the pH of
the blood and healthy tissues.
Animal models of human breast cancer show
that oral sodium bicarbonate does indeed make tumors more
alkaline and inhibit metastasis.
Dr.
Julian Whitaker's
protocol uses 12 g (2 rounded teaspoons) of baking soda
mixed in 2 cups water, along with a low-cal sweetener. This
mixture is taken over the course of an hour or two and
repeat for a total of three times a day.
On cancer survivor who was initially diagnosed with stage IV
aggressive prostate cancer which metastasized to his bones.
He initially turned to Cesium, but ended up
using a
baking soda molasses protocol as a natural cure which
eliminated his cancer and has worked for hundreds of others.
3) Heartburn
The most cost-effective way to relieve occasional heartburn
and indigestion is to stir
half a teaspoon of baking soda into half a cup of water and
drink it an hour or two after meals.
4) Dermatological
Conditions
British researchers found
that adding one-half cup of baking soda to bathwater soothed
itchiness and irritation in patients with psoriasis.
And a paste made of baking soda mixed with a
little water and dabbed on sunburn, insect bites, allergic
rashes, and skin exposed to poison oak/ivy reduces
discomfort.
That same paste also makes a nice, gentle
exfoliant.
5) Natural Deodorant
Simply mix about a teaspoon of baking soda with enough water
to create a milky liquid, and rub it on your feet and
underarms.
6)
Oral Health
Baking soda is a popular ingredient in toothpastes and
mouthwashes since it has been shown to
enhance plaque removal.
Of course, you could just dip your toothbrush in baking
soda, but due to its abrasive qualities, it may wear down
enamel over time.
Sources
