What is Sodium Bicarbonate?
Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound, specifically a salt, that is composed of two components; the cation (the positively charged ion) sodium (Na+) and the anion (the negatively charged ion) bicarbonate (HCO3-). Sodium bicarbonate has a molecular formula of NaHCO3. It is commonly known as “baking soda” or “bicarb”.
In its unprocessed form, ancient civilizations used “natron”, which is composed of both sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, for cleaning and mummification purposes.
Sodium bicarbonate was first discovered and isolated in 1801 by German pharmacologist, Valentin Rose the Younger. Half a century later, John Dwight and Austin Church established the initial processes to produce sodium bicarbonate at a commercial scale in the United States. They would later sell this manufactured sodium bicarbonate under the brand name Arm & Hammer.
Sources and Manufacturing
Sodium bicarbonate naturally occurs in the form of nahcolite or trona. These are both minerals that are mined and processed to produce sodium bicarbonate.
Sodium bicarbonate can also be industrially produced from the chemical reaction of sodium carbonate with carbon dioxide. This industrial production is said to yield approximately two million tons per year with most of this being produced in the United States and China.
Qualities
Sodium bicarbonate appears as a fine white powder. It can be described as having a salty, bitter, basic (alkaline or soapy) flavor when consumed.
In chemical reactions, sodium bicarbonate is considered amphoteric, meaning it can act as either a base or acid depending on the compound it is reacting with.
At high temperatures (i.e. between 80-100 °C), sodium bicarbonate can thermally decompose. This property is leveraged in certain industrial uses, which are discussed below.
Sodium bicarbonate is a relatively stable compound at room temperature with low humidity. A humid environment will cause sodium bicarbonate to prematurely react and decrease its stability and purity.
Other Uses
Sodium bicarbonate is used in various industries from sport, food, medicine, and even entertainment.
In sport, sodium bicarbonate is typically consumed before high intensity exercise to help buffer the acidification of the muscle and blood. However, recent research in its use has explored its benefits for longer endurance exercise performance. Further developments in sports nutrition have focused on how to deliver sodium bicarbonate in ways that minimize gut distress typically associated with its consumption.
In food, sodium bicarbonate is often used in baking as a raising or leavening agent, which gives bread and cakes the fluffy texture. This is driven by the release of carbon dioxide which comes from the reaction with acids or heat in the recipe. Sodium bicarbonate is sometimes added to commercially sold water to modify the flavor. Sodium bicarbonate is also often used in effervescent tablets allowing key components of the tablet to dissolve into solution.
In medicine, sodium bicarbonate is commonly used to treat heartburn. It is also useful in helping restore blood acid-base and potassium imbalance in individuals experiencing acidosis and hyperkalemia. It can also be used in conjunction with other drugs in a medical setting to alter the drug kinetics (i.e. speed of drug action).
Sodium bicarbonate can also be used in fireworks to provide unique pattern characteristics and colors.
Sodium bicarbonate can be used in fire extinguishers due to its unique chemical properties whereby it releases water and carbon dioxide when reacted, both of which have fire retarding effects.
As a cleaning agent, sodium bicarbonate can be used to neutralize acids, making it useful for acid spills. It can also be used to treat and prevent fungal growth. Because of its abrasive nature, sodium bicarbonate can be used as a surface cleaner in many settings. It can also be used as a water softener and as an agent to control and remove odors.
Sodium Bicarbonate in Carbs Fuel Products
Sodium bicarbonate is a proven ergogenic aid that supports sports performance when used appropriately. Research has shown the benefits of sodium bicarbonate range between 1-3% depending on the individual. Sodium bicarbonate is used in the Carbs Fuel Bicarb product line each with specific use cases. In one format we offer sodium bicarbonate in enteric capsules that contain one gram of sodium bicarbonate. These capsules can be taken prior to exercise or even during longer endurance activity in anticipation of a high intensity effort that may come later during an event. For more guidance on how to use sodium bicarbonate, refer to the Carbs Fuel Sodium Bicarbonate (Bicarb) Guide.
