Is baking powder bad or good for your health?
Baking powder is a common ingredient in baking recipes. It helps create the leavening that we need to make baked goods rise and turn out light and fluffy. Baking powder is considered nontoxic and is very difficult to have an actual overdose on.
So we know that it’s not bad for you in small quantities, but is it good for you?
Health benefits of baking powder
Baking powder is made up of baking soda, an acid (like cream of tartar), and cornstarch. It helps to neutralize the acidic properties in some recipes like lemon juice or buttermilk that would normally cause baked goods to fall flat. Baking powder (combined with baking soda) also contains sodium bicarbonate, which has many health benefits.
May improve kidney function
A study published in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology found that baking soda (a key ingredient in baking powder) may improve kidney function. Researchers studied rats with chronic kidney disease and found that those who received baking soda supplements had better blood pressure control and less proteinuria (protein in their urine, a sign of kidney damage).
May help to lower blood pressure
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension found that baking powder may help to lower blood pressure. When participants with hypertension (high blood pressure) added a teaspoon of baking powder to their diet for two months, they had a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.
May increase exercise performance
A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that baking powder may increase exercise performance. Researchers had participants perform two cycling trials – one with baking powder added to their drink, and one without. The results showed that the group who had baking powder in their drink had a higher average power output and a lower heart rate than the control group, indicating that baking powder may be good for exercise performance.
Baking powder for stomach health (stomach acid – Baking Soda Drink)
Adding baking powder to warm water will reduce your stomach acid, get rid of your acid reflux, will soothe canker sores, and reduce any bad smells coming from your breath.
Although a chemical reaction occurs to be able to do these things, all you’ll see in your water is some air bubbles. These little gas bubbles will feel fizzy as you drink them, but they will have no taste at all.
May activate anti-inflammatory pathways
A study published in the journal Food Chemistry found that baking powder may activate anti-inflammatory pathways. When rats were given a diet supplemented with baking powder, they had lower levels of inflammation in their kidneys and liver.
Cleans fruits and vegetables
Baking powder cleans fruits and vegetables by neutralizing acids, which helps to preserve the taste of the produce. The acid from bacteria in food reacts with baking soda that causes a chemical reaction called saponification – where soap is formed. Bacteria cannot survive when exposed to this environment, so food stays fresher longer!
May promote good oral health
Baking powder may promote good oral health because it contains sodium bicarbonate, which can neutralize the acids in your mouth. This helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It also works to heal canker sores.
Adverse effects of baking powder
Serious complications can occur when ingesting baking powder. Allergic reactions, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe stomach cramps are some of the possible side effects If you overindulge in baking powder.
If this happens, seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
How does baking powder work?
Baking powder combines with water to produce carbon dioxide bubbles in a wet mixture. Baking powder is preferable over yeast when the end product does not have the required flexibility or fast manufacture is required. It causes inorganic reactions that create bubbles inside a wet mixture, resulting in unpleasant fermentation flavors. When flavor isn’t pleasant, baking powder becomes preferable to yeast.
How long is baking powder good for?
The suggested shelf term for baking powder is between six months to a year depending on the brand. Over time, it begins to lose its effect and loses its ability to leave a baked product with baking powder. To determine whether your baking powder is working, you could try adding a tiny amount in half a pot of hot water. If bubbles start to form then baking powder is still potent.
Double-acting baking powder vs. single-acting baking powder
There are two types of baking powders – single-acting baking powders and double-acting baking powders. Single-acting baking powder contains one leavening agent (baking soda) and is activated by moisture. Double-acting baking powder contains two leavening agents (baking soda and cream of tartar) and is activated by both moisture and heat.
Which type of baking powder is better for you?
The answer to this question depends on your personal preferences. Some people find that single action baking powder produces a more subtle flavor in baked goods, while others prefer the taste of double action baking powder. Ultimately, it comes down to what you prefer.
Is baking soda and baking powder the same?
Baking soda and powder are not the same. Baking soda is just the bicarbonate of soda, while baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate plus other ingredients like starch and cream of tartar.
What is sodium bicarbonate?
Sodium bicarbonate is the main ingredient in baking powder. It has many health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It also helps to neutralize acid in your stomach and can be used as a natural treatment for indigestion and heartburn.
What happens if you ingest too much baking powder?
Baking powder is safe to eat. However, too much baking powder can lead to adverse side effects like diarrhea and stomach pain. It also might leave a bitter taste in your mouth due to its high alkaline pH level (between eight and nine). To avoid consuming too much baking soda, it’s best not to use more than one tablespoon of baking powder for every cup of flour in a recipe.
Final words
Baking powder is a great way to help make your baked goods rise and turn out light and fluffy and prevent flat cookies. It has many health benefits, such as neutralizing the acidic properties in some recipes, containing sodium bicarbonate which has many health benefits, and being preferable over yeast when flavor is important.
However, it can have some adverse side effects. So it’s important to be aware of how much baking powder is being consumed.
