Baking soda is one of the world’s greatest products since it can be used in so many different applications. Baking soda is highly versatile. Baking soda is used in all sorts of products, like laundry detergents, in refrigerators, homemade cleaning products, air freshener products, tooth pastes, pharmaceuticals, and recipes – this list is by no means exhausted.
During the cold winter months it’s great to serve your family hot homemade Split Pea Soup, a variety of Bean Soups, or Chili but the after effects several hours later can lead to flatulence. Other homemade meals can also cause flatulence as well, such as tacos, Chicken Tagine, or fajitas just to name a few. Then there are the flatulent causing green leafy vegetables like turnip greens, kale, collard greens, and cabbage.
To reduce flatulence in your home-cooked meals simply add a pinch of baking soda for about every 15 ounces of food being cooked towards the end of the cooking process. It is best to add the baking soda to the meal the second you turn the stove’s heat down to simmer. When you add the baking soda you will notice foaming, especially in tomato sauce dishes – just stir until the foaming action is complete, about one to two minutes. Even if you do not see the foaming action, like in bean soups or leafy greens, you will still want to stir the baking soda for about one to two minutes making sure there is thorough distribution.
The action of the baking soda helps to reduce flatulence by reducing the acidity content of the foods. If you remember the basics of science in school then you are aware of the sliding scale from base to acid on the PH scale. Without getting into too much of the science, suffice to say that the more acidic something is the more it is likely to cause flatulence. Even though flatulence is a very important function in the body, there is no reason why we cannot reduce it. Especially in meals that make flatulence come about more than normal.
In addition to the foods that cause flatulence there are also some foods or drinks that are bitter in taste. Some people add sugar to reduce bitterness in foods, like out of season collard greens or spaghetti sauces. However, if you add baking soda it will also help to reduce bitterness. Adding baking soda to fresh brewed tea helps to reduce or even eliminates the bitterness. The bitterness in teas is from tannins that naturally grow in teas and other plants. Just add a pinch of baking soda as soon as you remove the brewing tea from the stove for steeping. You will see it foam up, just stir for a few seconds to disperse the baking soda.
Do not confuse baking soda with baking powder, they are two different products and are not the same!
While some children may be proud of their flatulence abilities, especially after eating certain meals the night before, there is nothing wrong in reducing its occurrences. While flatulence is an important bodily function it is more than okay to keep it in the normal range of occurrences. Plus, your family need not know why their flatulence has been reduced if they are looking forward to that awesome meal that cause the smelly gases the next day.