What Happens If You Eat Too Much Baking Soda?
We get it, baking soda seems harmless. It’s in your fridge, your pantry, even your toothpaste. But consuming significant amounts of it? Not a good idea.
Swallowing large quantities of baking soda can cause serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms. It disrupts the electrolyte balance in your body, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and dangerously high sodium levels. Oh, and it reacts with stomach acid like a human volcano experiment, complete with rapid gas buildup that could lead to a stomach rupture. Definitely not the kind of science project you want to test on yourself.
📞 If someone has ingested too much baking soda, don’t wait, call the Missouri Poison Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. We’re here 24/7 to help.
Check our detailed blog on baking soda here!
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with a white bowl of baking soda and a spoon. Text: "Is baking soda poisonous?" The Missouri Poison Center logo is visible.
Sound: Upbeat instrumental music begins.
Visual: Person 1, wearing a black and white argyle sweater, is in a kitchen pouring baking soda from a box into a glass with a straw. A speech bubble on screen reads, "Wait baking powder is poisonous?"
Person 2: Significant amounts of baking soda can cause changes to the electrolyte levels in your body. And no, it's not going to give you superpowers.
Visual: Person 2, wearing a blue t-shirt with "#Poison. Prevention" on it, stands in a studio room.
Person 2: Just serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms!
Visual: Person 1 is at the kitchen table, looking unwell and coughing.
Sound: Coughs.
Person 1: This was a bad decision.
Visual: Back in studio with Person 2.
Person 2: It was! Because ingesting large amounts of baking soda quickly induces vomiting and diarrhea.
Visual: Person 1 back in the kitchen, burps, looking distressed.
Sound: Burp.
Visual: Back in studio with Person 2.
Person 2: This is because it raises the sodium levels in your body to a dangerous level.
Visual: Person 1 back in the kitchen, grimacing and holding his stomach.
Person 1: I am experiencing regret at both ends.
Visual: Back in studio with Person 2.
Person 2: Not to mention that baking soda reacts with the gastric acid in your body causing a rapid formation of gas,
Visual: Person 1 back in the kitchen.
Person 1: Like a human science-fair volcano…
Visual: Back in studio with Person 2.
Person 2: with potential stomach rupture!
Visual: Person 1 back in the kitchen.
Person 1: I should call the poison center.
Visual: Back in studio with Person 2.
Person 2: And maybe don't eat baking soda!
Visual: The kitchen table with the glass of baking soda, Person 1 is gone.
Visual: Back in studio with Person 2.
Person 2: Yeah, he's probably getting help.
AVO: If you suspect someone has had an exposure, call the Missouri Poison Center right away.
Visual: A white background with the Missouri Poison Center logo and the phone number 1-800-222-1222. Text "Open 24/7!" appears.
AVO: At 1-800-222-1222.
