Baking Soda: The Surprising Benefits of Adding it to Health Drinks & Smoothies
It's not just for fluffy pancakes or deodorizing your fridge.
When I was a little girl, my Mom ♥️ made scratch pancakes all the time. She used the sour milk that was all chunky and smelled bad….
But, wait! ☝️
Trust me on this one….
Those were the BEST PANCAKES EVER.
📌 Here’s a little known secret:
Homemade pancakes are a great way to use up that turned milk or cream, even after it’s all chunky! The chunky stuff that forms in sour milk is curdled milk proteins (primarily casein), which coagulate when the milk becomes more acidic. This happens naturally when milk sours due to bacterial fermentation or when an acid (like lemon juice or vinegar) is added.
✔️ It’s actually good for you! ✔️
And, I have made a million batches of sour milk pancakes throughout my life... with 100% natural maple syrup, of course.
You literally cannot buy pancakes like these anywhere.
And your kids will LOVE them (like I did when I was little).
My Mom ♥️ also used Clabber Girl baking soda to make them fluffy.
But baking soda is not just for fluffy pancakes (or keeping your refrigerator deodorized) anymore.
Hydration, Recovery, & Wellness
If you’re making your own Goo-Free electrolyte mix, or seeking alternatives to commercial energy drinks, adding a little baking soda isn’t just an inexpensive alternative — it’s a game-changer for hydration, recovery, and overall wellness.
Here are 6 reasons why:
(1) Restore Electrolyte Balance
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which means it provides your body with sodium, a crucial electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions.
When you sweat, you lose sodium, and if it’s not replenished, dehydration and muscle cramps can set in.
Adding just ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to your electrolyte mix or healthy homemade smoothie can help restore balance and keep you feeling energized and hydrated.
(2) Reduce Acid Reflux & Heartburn
If you’ve ever suffered from heartburn, you know how miserable it can be.
Because baking soda is alkaline, it helps neutralize excess stomach acid, providing quick relief from acid reflux and indigestion.
A simple glass of water with a small pinch of baking soda can work as a natural antacid without any of the artificial additives found in store-bought remedies.
(3) Boost Exercise Performance & Recovery
Ever feel that intense muscle burn during a workout?
That’s caused by lactic acid buildup.
Baking soda acts as a buffer, reducing acidity in your muscles and delaying fatigue.
Some athletes even take baking soda before intense workouts to enhance endurance and speed up muscle recovery.
While you don’t need to chug a glass before every workout, incorporating it into your electrolyte drink can support muscle function and reduce post-exercise soreness.
(4) Supports Kidney Health & Detoxification
Your kidneys work hard to filter out toxins, but when your body becomes too acidic, it can put extra strain on them.
Baking soda helps by reducing acidity in the bloodstream, supporting kidney function and potentially lowering the risk of kidney stones.
If you struggle with high acidity levels or mild kidney issues, drinking a small amount of baking soda in water may help — just check with your doctor first!
(5) Fights Inflammation & Supports Immune Health
Chronic inflammation is linked to numerous health issues, from arthritis to autoimmune disorders.
Some studies suggest that baking soda may reduce inflammation by influencing the body’s immune response.
Adding it to your electrolyte drink or healthy homemade smoothie can be an easy way to keep inflammation at bay while keeping your body well-hydrated.
(6) Supports Oral & Dental Health
Baking soda isn’t just good for your body — it’s great for your teeth too!
It has mild antibacterial properties and helps neutralize acids in your mouth, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Some people even use it as a natural mouth rinse to keep their breath fresh and teeth clean.
How Much Baking Soda Should You Drink?
The key to getting the benefits of baking soda without side effects is moderation.
A good rule of thumb is to limit intake to about ¼ to ½ teaspoon per day, dissolved in water, or mixed into your electrolyte drink or healthy homemade smoothie.
Too much can cause bloating, nausea, or imbalanced sodium levels.
If you have high blood pressure or are on a low-sodium diet, talk to your doctor before adding baking soda to your routine.
Is There Aluminum in Baking Soda?
Nope! Most baking soda products contain only sodium bicarbonate.
Take note that some baking powders contain aluminum in the form of sodium aluminum phosphate, so be sure to read the labels to avoid adding aluminum to otherwise healthy homemade foods and drinks.
You can read more about this topic (and the health risks of aluminum in baking powder) in these additional references:
Wikipedia: Sodium Bicarbonate (a.k.a: Baking Soda)
Clabber Girl Baking Soda (Clabber Girl product website)
Does your baking soda have aluminum in it? (Bob’s Red Mill)
📌 Note: I am not a doctor, certified health practitioner, or a nutritionist, so be sure to talk to a medical professional before making any significant changes to your diet if you have any health risks, prescriptions, or other dietary concerns.
Try Baking Soda in a Goo-Free Electrolyte Drink!
One of my favorite electrolyte drink recipes is simple, effective, and free from all the ultra-processed junk you’ll find in store-bought sports drinks.
Basic Goo-Free Electrolyte Mix
2 cups water (or coconut water)
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp baking soda
1 tbsp lemon or lime juice
1-2 tsp pure honey or maple syrup (optional)
A few cucumber slices or fresh mint leaves (for flavor)
Simply mix all ingredients, stir well, and enjoy!
Or try any of these 10 DIY Electrolyte Mix recipes:
Baking soda may not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when you think of hydration, but as you can see, it plays a vital role in keeping your body balanced and strong.
Give it a try in your next electrolyte drink or healthy homemade smoothie and see how you feel!
And then, share your discoveries with the community!
If you’re not sure about a specific ingredient and want to learn more about whether it qualifies as Goo, leave a comment or reach out and ask me!
And if you enjoyed reading this story, but aren’t ready to subscribe, you can:
(a Goo-Free coffee, of course!)
Great information. I use baking soda for so much at home, cleaning products, cleaning fruits and veggies and but never thought to add it to drinks.