Baking Soda May Halve Dementia Risk, Study Suggests
Researchers found that a common baking ingredient could significantly reduce the likelihood of developing dementia, but experts urge caution.
Baking soda could potentially reduce the chances of developing dementia by as much as 51 percent, according to researchers. The kitchen staple, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is believed to prevent the buildup of harmful acids in the body that can damage brain cells and lead to memory loss.
This finding emerged from an analysis of health records of over 122,000 individuals aged 50 and older who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, an early sign of dementia. The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, indicated that participants taking baking soda tablets were 51 percent less likely to develop more advanced forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.
The research team has called for further investigation, suggesting that sodium bicarbonate may influence cognitive function due to its effects on blood acidity. Their findings were published in the journal eBioMedicine, which also noted that other common medications, including steroids and painkillers, appeared to offer protection against dementia.
Baking soda is already prescribed by the NHS in the UK at a cost of approximately 9 cents per tablet for individuals with advanced kidney disease, to manage similar acid-related issues. Separately, trials are also examining whether the NHS shingles vaccine could offer protection against dementia, with some studies suggesting it might reduce the risk by up to 20 percent.
Dementia affects nearly one million people in Britain, with projections indicating this number could rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Despite significant investment in developing new drugs, current NHS treatments cannot prevent the disease's onset, highlighting the need for affordable preventative strategies.
Dr. Richard Oakley from the Alzheimer's Society described drug repurposing as a "promising area of research." However, he cautioned against self-medication, stating, "The latest study does not show that taking sodium bicarbonate can prevent or treat dementia, and we would strongly advise people not to take baking soda for this purpose." He emphasized the necessity of robust clinical trials to fully understand the impact of baking soda.