About Sodium Carbonate
Sodium carbonate naturally exists on the earth, but it can also be produced by mixing sodium chloride (salt) with ammonia. Buy sodium carbonate at a grocery store or swimming pool supply store and hardware store. Off-white powder or white solid powder, odorless and tasteless.
In the pH range, it is a strong base or base. It is usually harmless when in contact with the skin, but the solution made with it may be corrosive. Although a small amount is not toxic, too much can cause poisoning. However, in most cases, the toxicity risk of sodium carbonate is low.
- Breathing problems
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Eye irritation
- Low blood pressure
According to the provisions of the Food and Drug Administration, carbon , sodium is approved as a food additive. Its designated uses are as curing and pickling agents, flavoring agents, pH agents and processing aids. The level used is "not exceeding current Good Manufacturing Practices".
If you take sodium carbonate, you will not consume a lot of sodium (despite the name of the compound). Your sodium intake from food is much higher. Oral sodium carbonate dissolved in water can be used as an antacid. It can neutralize gastric acid in the stomach , but this use is not commonly used.
Uses of sodium carbonate
The National Library of Medicine's Toxicology Data Network explains that sodium carbonate has a wide range of uses. You will see it is used for:
- Glass production
- water softener
- Soap and detergent
- Metals and mining industry
- Pulp and paper industry
You may encounter sodium carbonate in laundry and dishwashing detergents, floor cleaners, degreasers, cosmetics, scouring powders, and soaps. It is used in many products. For example, toothpaste usually contains sodium carbonate to help increase the oral pH and act as a foaming agent.
As a food additive, sodium carbonate is usually included in ramen noodles to give them elastic texture. It is also an ingredient of sherbet powder.
Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate is a good old baking soda, usually used to make baked goods or to clean and deodorize. It is also an effective way to treat minor medical problems such as insect bites and sunburn. Sodium bicarbonate is a similar compound, but different from sodium carbonate. The formula for sodium bicarbonate is sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate is sometimes used in fire extinguishers or as an antifungal treatment for crops.
Although sodium carbonate has anti-acid properties, sodium bicarbonate is actually a prescription medicine to relieve heartburn and acid indigestion. Sometimes, sodium bicarbonate is used as a medicine to reduce the acidity of blood or urine. It can be taken as a tablet or powder and taken orally according to the doctor's instructions.
Sodium bicarbonate, rather than sodium carbonate, also has reliable research behind its ability to improve athletic performance.
Researchers published a review stating that intake of sodium bicarbonate can improve high-intensity exercise, including high-intensity interval training and skill-based exercise. However, the dosage needs to be individualized, because not every athlete responds to the compound the same.