Constipation is a very uncomfortable situation and at times it can be really agonizing and painful. Stool becomes hard and difficult to pass. If constipation becomes chronic then it can lead to many complications including hemorrhoids.
Sometimes a little lifestyle change from sedentary to active can resolve your constipation and the other times simple home remedies like baking soda can give you relief. If nothing works then you will have to contact your doctor to find out the underlying cause of constipation and treat it
Table of Contents
- How Baking Soda Can Help to Remove Constipation??
- 3 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Constipation
- Other Natural Treatment for Constipation
- Tips and Precautions
How Baking Soda Can Help to Remove Constipation?
You may be wondering whether this simple inexpensive kitchen food item can really resolve the problem, particularly when you read confusing articles for and against the use of baking soda for constipation.
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is widely used for households, beauty and health conditions.Let us explore why it works and how to use it.
Baking soda...
- acts like antacid
- neutralizes the acids in the stomach due to its alkaline nature which helps the stools to soften and pass easily
- draws water inside the stomach due to its high sodium contents which makes bowel movements easy.
- helps body to release gases that push the stools to pass without blockages
- cleanses the colon and aids in digestion
For these same benefits you can also use baking soda for heartburn and acid reflux.
So, next time you have constipation, try baking soda out.
3 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Constipation
The following are 3 most effective and popular uses of baking soda to treat constipation..
1. Baking Soda and Water
Water with baking soda makes a good remedy for constipation.
Ingredients
- Baking soda
- Warm water
Method:
- Wash and clean a glass
- Pour warm water to fill it to 3/4 position
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- Stir to mix well
- Drink it 2-3 times daily
- Do it for 4-5 days by the time your bowel movements will become normal.
2. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
Baking soda is alkaline and lemon juice is acidic and yet together they resolve many digestive issues including constipation.
Ingredients:
- Baking Soda
- Lemon
- Water
Method:
- Extract juice of 1/2 lemon in a glass
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- Immediately add water to fill the glass. You will see some gases release from the drink as lemon and baking soda chemically react
- Stir and drink it immediately
- Do it 2-3 times daily
- Do it for 4-5 days until you have normal stools
3. Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar
It is also a simple remedy like the other two as apple cider vinegar and baking soda both are generally available in every kitchen. If not then get it from your nearby grocery shop.
Ingredients:
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Method
- Add one teaspoon of baking soda to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass
- Mix well
- Fillup rest of the glass with warm water
- Stir well
- Drink
- Do it 2-3 times during the day
- Continue practice for the next 4-5 days by that time constipation should generally get resolved.
Other Natural Treatment for Constipation
If for some reasons baking soda doesn't suit your specific needs then try following other natural remedies to get rid of your constipation.
- Drink more water
- Eat foods rich in soluble fiber
- Consume probiotic foods
- Exercise regularly
- Sleep well
- Drink coffee
- Take prunes or prune juice
- Drink pear juice
Tips and Precautions
Baking soda is a sodium compound so take the following precautions while ingesting it for health reasons
- Try other natural remedies for constipation if you are taking any blood pressure medication as sodium tends to increase blood pressure
- Don't use it if you have water retention problems as sodium increases water retention.
- Avoid baking soda if you have potassium deficiency as it tilts the sodium potassium ratio which may lead to heart and kidney damage.
- Stop the use once your bowel movements get back to normal as too much of sodium bicarbonate can disturb the normal pH balance of the stomach causing other gastrointestinal issues.
- Contact your doctor if your constipation is not resolved with the help of lifestyle changes and natural remedies. It may be due to any underlying condition that may require immediate attention for you to stay overall healthy.
Occasional constipation is normal in today's sedentary lifestyle. Baking soda and other natural ingredients are good remedies to restore normal bowel movement.