1. What is the common name of Sodium Bicarbonate?
The common name of Sodium Bicarbonate is baking soda. It is also called bicarbonate of soda, sodium acid carbonate, or sometimes sodium hydrogen carbonate.
2. Is Sodium Bicarbonate baking soda?
Yes, Sodium Bicarbonate is also called baking soda. It is widely used in the baking industry. When heated, it releases carbon dioxide gas which causes the dough to rise in bread and cookies. It has a leavening property (expansion of dough and batter).
3. What is the formula of Sodium Bicarbonate?
The chemical formula of Sodium Bicarbonate is NaHCO3. The chemical composition consists of one sodium atom, one Hydrogen atom, one carbon atom, and three oxygen atoms.
4. Is it safe to take Sodium Bicarbonate daily?
No, sodium carbonate is not safe for long-term use. Please do not use it continuously for more than two weeks. Baking soda can reduce the level of vitamins and minerals in your body, especially vitamin B. They may also cause diarrhoea if taken for long-term use.
5. Where does Sodium Bicarbonate come from?
Sodium Bicarbonate is a compound found throughout nature in the ocean, soil, food, and even our bodies. But it is more frequently manufactured by the reaction of carbon dioxide and soda ash (a naturally occurring mineral).
6. Can Sodium Bicarbonate cause high blood pressure?
It is a fact that Sodium Bicarbonate does not raise blood pressure as common table salt does. But on long-term use, it might increase blood pressure. So people who already have high blood pressure should try to avoid the use of Sodium Bicarbonate.
7. How to take Sodium Bicarbonate?
Sodium Bicarbonate comes as oral tablets, powders, capsules, and IV injection and IV infusion in hospitals.
Sodium Bicarbonate Powder: Do not consume the powder until it is completely dissolved. Always dissolve it in a glass of water before intake.
Sodium Bicarbonate tablets: Some tablets should be dissolved in a glass of water before swallowing. Other tablets may be swallowed whole. Always follow the directions on the package label or as instructed by your physician.
8. Why wash organic layers with Sodium Bicarbonate?
Washing the organic layer with Sodium Bicarbonate will help remove the traces of acidic components and neutralise the organic layer. It also helps to decrease the solubility of the organic layer with the aqueous layer so that the organic layer can be separated more easily.
9. Is Sodium Bicarbonate an acid?
No, it is an alkaline substance. The pH value of a substance is a measure of acidity and alkalinity. Sodium Bicarbonate has a pH of 9, so it is weakly alkaline. It acts as an antacid and can quickly neutralize the stomach acids and temporarily relieves heartburn caused by acid reflux.
10. Is Sodium Bicarbonate harmful to humans?
No, Sodium Bicarbonate is generally safe in the human body when taken in the recommended dose. However, it can cause significant toxicity in long-term use, such as metabolic alkalosis, hypoxia, hypokalemia, etc. Do not use Sodium Bicarbonate without your doctor's advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding a baby.
