The reality is more modest, but equally valuable: this mixture can be an excellent digestive and a mild alkalizer for people with excess heartburn or tendency to mild metabolic acidosis (common in diets rich in meats and ultra-processed foods). However, improper preparation or excessive consumption can damage tooth enamel, irritate the stomach, and even upset electrolyte balance.
Lemon, although acidic, has an alkalizing effect after being metabolized thanks to its citrates. Baking soda is directly an antacid. Together, they can quickly neutralize gastric acid. But eye: should not be taken daily, much less for people with hypertension (due to baking soda) or kidney problems.
Next, the correct way to prepare it according to the objective you are looking for, with two different recipes.
Recipe 1: Digestive version (for after copious meals)
Ingredients:
1 cup warm water (200-250 ml, not hot)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (about 2 grams)
Freshly squeezed 1/2 lemon juice
Place the baking soda in an empty glass.
Add the lemon juice. You will see that it bubbles immediately (this is the chemical reaction that produces sodium citrate and carbon dioxide).
Wait 30 seconds for him to stop bubbling.
Add warm water and stir gently.
Drink immediately, at slow sips, without hitting.
Directions: For occasional heartburn, indigestion, or a feeling of heaviness after a hearty meal. No more than 3 days in a row. Let at least 2 hours pass between taking other medicines (sodium bicarbonate alters its absorption).
Recipe 2: Soft Alkalizer Version (for the morning)
Ingredients:
1 cup of warm water (250 ml)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (1 gram)
Juice of 1 whole lemon
Optional: a few mint leaves
Preparation: In this case, first mix the lemon with the water and then add the baking soda just before drinking (to preserve part of the lemon vitamin C, which the baking soda partially destroys).
Directions: Take fasting, maximum 3 times per week, for periods of 2 weeks and then rest a week. Ideal for people with a very acidifying diet (a lot of meat, few vegetables). Not suitable for people with uncontrolled hypertension.
Correct use indications (gold rules)
If you have high blood pressure (baking soda is pure sodium: 1 teaspoon contains about 1000 mg of sodium, almost half the daily limit).
If you have chronic kidney disease (the kidneys will not be able to remove excess sodium and bicarbonate).
If you are taking heart medications, potassium-sparing diuretics, or high-dose aspirin.
If you have gastritis with eroding or active ulcer (effervescence may worsen the damage).
Side effects to consider:
If you notice swelling in your ankles, increased blood pressure, excessive gas, or persistent nausea, stop using it immediately.
A very common mistake: Some people take it “to alkalize blood.” The blood maintains its pH between 7.35 and 7.45 automatically thanks to the kidneys and lungs. No homemade drink can change that unless you are very sick. If anyone promises to cure cancer with this, walk away.
Responsible conclusion: Water with baking soda and lemon is a good point resource for acidity or to relieve an excess of acids in the body. But it’s not a miraculous potion. Use it in moderation, respect the doses and, above all, listen to your body. If heartburn is common (more than twice a week), do not self-medicate: consult a gastroenterologist. What really alkalizes the body in the long term are salads and legumes, not baking soda.
