Can drinking baking soda water help you lose weight? Doctor reveals what it really does to your body

A new weight loss trend has been making rounds on social media, with people claiming that a simple kitchen ingredient can help burn fat. The viral hack involves mixing baking soda with water and drinking it regularly, sometimes with lemon or apple cider vinegar added for taste. But before trying this unusual remedy, doctors are urging people to look beyond online claims and understand what this drink actually does inside the body.

Can baking soda water help with weight loss?

Dr Jennifer Caudle, a board-certified Family Medicine physician and Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, recently addressed the growing trend of drinking baking soda water for weight loss.

The viral videos promoting the drink usually recommend mixing around half a teaspoon of baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, with approximately one cup of water. Some versions of the trend also add lemon or apple cider vinegar to make it more appealing.



However, Dr. Caudle explained that there is no scientific evidence showing that baking soda water can help people lose weight. “There is no good evidence that suggests that drinking baking soda water will help you lose weight,” she said, adding that this is not a method she would recommend for weight management.

Why is baking soda water concerning?

Dr. Caudle pointed out that one of the biggest concerns with the trend is the high sodium content in baking soda.
She explained that the drink tastes extremely salty, which makes sense because baking soda contains a significant amount of sodium. According to her, consuming excessive sodium can affect the heart, organs and blood pressure.

The doctor warned that regularly drinking baking soda water could create health issues instead of helping with weight loss. She noted that some people may experience nausea and digestive discomfort after consuming it.
“Some people get nauseous with this,” Dr. Caudle said, adding that it can also lead to stomach-related problems.

She further explained that too much baking soda water can interfere with the body's electrolytes and affect organs, including the kidneys. “It can cause electrolyte abnormalities in your body,” she said, highlighting that this imbalance can impact normal bodily functions.

What does science say about baking soda and weight loss?

According to Medical News Today, scientific research has not found evidence supporting the idea that drinking baking soda can promote weight loss.

The human body naturally regulates its pH levels to maintain the right balance and prevent becoming too acidic or too alkaline. The food and drinks people consume have very little impact on this process. Because of this, consuming baking soda with the aim of making the body more alkaline and encouraging fat loss is unlikely to work.

The report also noted that ingesting baking soda can cause several side effects. Since the body may try to remove excess bicarbonate through urine, people may experience increased urination, which can lead to the loss of important substances such as chloride, sodium, potassium and water.

Possible side effects of consuming too much baking soda include headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and twitching.

Baking soda and kidney health

Excessive intake of baking soda may also put pressure on the kidneys. Medical experts warn that too much baking soda can interfere with the kidneys’ ability to properly filter substances from the body.

While baking soda has many household uses, experts suggest that relying on it as a weight loss solution is not supported by evidence. Sustainable weight management usually depends on balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits rather than quick fixes promoted online.