Baking Soda May Halve Dementia Risk, Study Suggests

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, could potentially reduce the chances of developing dementia by as much as 51 percent, according to findings by researchers. The study suggests the ingredient may prevent the buildup of harmful acids in the body that can damage brain cells and lead to memory loss.

US scientists observed that patients taking baking soda for kidney disease performed better on memory tests. This observation led to an analysis of health records for over 122,000 individuals aged 50 and older who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, an early sign of dementia. The analysis indicated that those taking sodium bicarbonate tablets were 51 percent less likely to progress to more severe forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.

The University of Pennsylvania team has called for further investigation, noting in the journal eBioMedicine that the drug "may influence cognitive function" due to its effects on blood acidity. The study also identified 19 other common medications, including steroids and painkillers, that appeared to offer protection against dementia.

Dementia affects nearly one million Britons, with projections indicating this number could rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Despite substantial investment in new drug development, current treatments do not prevent the disease's onset, highlighting the need for accessible and affordable interventions, such as repurposing existing medications.

Dr. Richard Oakley of Alzheimer's Society described drug repurposing as an "exciting area of research." However, he cautioned that the current 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 on dementia.