Is consuming baking soda powder harmful to the human body?

Under normal circumstances, consuming baking soda powder is not harmful to the human body, but excessive intake may cause adverse effects. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Consuming baking soda in moderate amounts is safe. Baking soda is commonly used as a leavening agent in food processing such as baking and fermentation, helping to improve dough texture and promote fermentation. Additionally, due to its alkaline nature, baking soda can neutralize stomach acid and provide some relief for symptoms of excess stomach acid or acid reflux.

However, excessive consumption of baking soda may lead to digestive issues such as bloating and increased stomach acid, and could even contribute to conditions like gastric ulcers. Because baking soda is alkaline, overuse may disrupt the body's acid-base balance, potentially leading to problems such as metabolic alkalosis. Baking soda may also interact with certain medications, such as antihypertensives and diuretics, affecting their efficacy.

Therefore, when using baking soda, it is important to use it in moderation, understand its effects, and be aware of relevant precautions to ensure health and safety.