How does soda affect hemoglobin — does it increase or decrease it?

Elevated hemoglobin levels in the blood are dangerous because in this case the viscosity of the blood increases sharply, and its tendency to coagulation. This in combination increases the risk of thrombosis, heart attack, and atherosclerosis.

Soda is believed to help thin the blood, thereby lowering hemoglobin levels. But what do the doctors say about this? Is it possible to use soda at home to normalize the composition of blood and the concentration of hemoglobin in it? Can soda do any harm in any way? All the answers are below.

Effects on blood composition

Soda is based on sodium combined with carbonate and hydrogen.

When ingested into the gastrointestinal tract, soda breaks down into derivative elements upon contact with gastric juice (which is an acidic medium). Sodium gets into the blood quite quickly and is actively involved in water-salt metabolism.

A high concentration of sodium in the blood stimulates a decrease in the presence of potassium, since these elements inhibit each other (the higher the concentration of one, the lower the other). All this is accompanied by an increased outflow of fluid from the body, which – Increases blood density .

As for hemoglobin, soda does not affect its level in any way. But due to a decrease in the amount of fluid in the body (due to the diuretic effect), the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells may increase slightly.

Doctors are skeptical about the theory that soda helps to increase the hemoglobin norm in the blood and refer to the fact that no scientific research has been conducted in this regard until today. Therefore, it is impossible to call the statements justified.

Benefits for the cardiovascular system

Due to the strong diuretic effect of soda, it has the following effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system:

  1. Eliminates arrhythmia. Long-term use of soda really improves the conduction of the sinus node, which can normalize the heart rate. However, the effect is temporary and depends more on the salt balance of the blood plasma.
  2. Lowers blood pressure. At increasing blood viscosity the volume of circulating blood also decreases, which indirectly helps to normalize blood pressure.
  3. Increases the concentration of oxygen in the blood. But carbon dioxide is excreted much more actively. It helps strengthen the feeding vessels of the brain , slightly reduce blood pressure (it will be useful for migraine attacks).

Also the use of soda helps to clean blood vessels , relieve cramps, get rid of puffiness. But in this regard, you should consult with a cardiologist – it is quite possible that the spasm and swelling are provoked not by an excess of fluid in the body, but by a violation of nominal blood flow and blood pressure.

Rules of use

In books on folk medicine, soda treatment is recommended according to the following scheme:

  1. Take in dissolved form (in boiled water cooled to room temperature);
  2. Daily allowance – ½ teaspoon (divided into 2 doses);
  3. Drink in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening 30 minutes before scheduled sleep.
The only caveat is that such a remedy should not be used for chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular, gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer.

Using baking soda for baking will not do harm, since sodium compounds at the same time break down to derivatives of elements (and in this state they practically do not enter the bloodstream).

Features of reception during pregnancy

Due to the fact that no specialized research has been conducted on this subject, doctors highly recommend against practice similar methods of increasing hemoglobin during pregnancy.

In this regard, it is much more effective to take multivitamin complexes, which include iron, as well as B-group vitamins (including Folic acid , omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids). It is also not known whether taking soda in any way affects the development of a child in the womb.

The only positive effect in this case is that soda helps to cope with heartburn well (increased gastric acidity is a normal phenomenon during pregnancy, it occurs due to fetal pressure on the stomach).

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Conclusion

In total, sodium carbonate slightly raises the hemoglobin level by increasing the viscosity of the blood and reducing the percentage of water in it.

But you should not abuse soda – it increases the alkalinity of blood plasma, and with prolonged use it can provoke hypotension (chronically low blood pressure). There are many more effective and safe methods of increasing hemoglobin, which are preferred and recommended by doctors, including nutritionists.