Researchers have revealed that a daily dose of baking soda can reduce inflammation of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

In a study published in the Journal of Immunology, Paul O'Connor, from Augusta University, and colleagues provided evidence of how the kitchen staple can encourage the spleen to promote an anti-inflammatory environment that can have therapeutic effects for those suffering from inflammatory diseases.

The researchers think that drinking a solution of baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, can prompt the mesothelial cells to tell the spleen, a part of the immune system, that there is no need for a protective immune response, and this appears to promote an environment that shifts against inflammation.

"Our data indicate that oral NaHCO3 activates a splenic anti-inflammatory pathway and provides evidence that the signals that mediate this response are transmitted to the spleen via a novel neuronal-like function of mesothelial cells," the researchers wrote in their study.

The new study is not the first to link baking soda to a health benefit.

Chronic Kidney Disease

In a study involving 134 adults with chronic kidney disease, a condition that causes sufferers to lose function of their kidneys, researchers found that those who take sodium bicarbonate supplements were 36 percent less likely to develop kidney failure compared with those who did not take the supplements.

Itchy Skin And Sunburns

Baking soda bath is recommended to soothe itchy skin and these baths can be especially effective at soothing itches caused by bee stings and bug bites. It can also soothe irritation caused by sunburn, particularly when used with other ingredients such as oatmeal and cornstarch.

Heartburn

Heartburn or acid reflux is a painful and burning sensation that can rise from the upper region of the stomach up into the throat. It is caused by acid refluxing out of the stomach and up into the esophagus. It is usually caused by stress, overeating, and consumption of greasy and spicy foods. Baking soda can treat heartburn by neutralizing the stomach acid.

Health experts, however, warn about taking baking soda within two hours of taking other medications. The reason is that when baking soda lowers stomach acid, it can slow down the body's absorption rate of some medicines and may even change the way some drugs work.

Cancer

There is no scientific proof that baking soda can cure cancer but research has shown that it may help some forms of cancer treatments to work better.