Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder

I am not a doctor. I do get gout attacks about once every month to two months, but honestly I'm not sure, because as soon as I feel anything in my foot that feels like it might be a bout coming on, I mix a half teaspoon of ALUMINUM FREE baking POWDER (not soda - I frequently read articles, blogs, etc., where baking powder and soda are mistakingly used interchangeably - they are similar, but not the same) in a glass of warm water, drink it and the twinge quickly dissappears. I don't know all of the chemical differences between baking powder and soda, but I was told by a gout sufferer that he used Rumford (brand) baking POWDER (same dosage as above when he feels a twinge and it goes away). I do know one major difference among brands of Baking POWDER - some have aluminum compounds and some do not. Rumford does not, and that is what I am told makes the difference.

That said, I am now learning that this can help some with lesser degrees of gout, but even for those folks it is not a long-term fix as baking powder has a very high percentage of sodium which can raise blood pressure and do significant damage to many critical body parts. So, bottom line - check with your doctor. When I told mine recently that I was using this baking powder solution, he said that chemically it makes sense as it will break down the uric acid crystals associated with gout and that cause the pain you feel. He said he had not heard of this remedy, but what bothers me is he didn't ask me how frequently I use it. Nor did he warn me of the high sodium content. So - quiz your doctor. If he or she is unaware or underinformed, ask them to look into it and get you some answers that incorporate your situation.

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Dec 04, 2014
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Gout results
by: Peter

Hi mate,

let us know how you go after the wedding.

Dec 04, 2014
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Baking Powder
by: Anonymous

As usual, there is so much conflicting info when it comse to gout that we're left with little option but to try the recommendations and see what works best for us.

I went to by some Apple Cider Vinegar, cherries and Baking Soda from the supermarket. All they had was Baking Powder. I tried it a few hours ago and feel noticeably better. Maybe it's a placebo effect?

I have previously sworn by ibuprofen, but I left it too late this time and now it just eases the pain a little rather than stopping it in it's tracks.

Of course I'm travelling to a wedding this weekend, so perfect timing. Bloody gout!

Jul 07, 2014
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BAKING soda and Baking Powder differences for Gout
by: Anonymous

Baking Soda

Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate. When baking soda is combined with moisture and an acidic ingredient (e.g., yogurt, chocolate, buttermilk, honey), the resulting chemical reaction produces bubbles of carbon dioxide that expand under oven temperatures, causing baked goods to rise. The reaction begins immediately upon mixing the ingredients, so you need to bake recipes which call for baking soda immediately, or else they will fall flat!

Baking Powder

Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate, but it includes the acidifying agent already (cream of tartar), and also a drying agent (usually starch). Baking powder is available as single-acting baking powder and as double-acting baking powder. Single-acting powders are activated by moisture, so you must bake recipes which include this product immediately after mixing. Double-acting powders react in two phases and can stand for a while before baking. With double-acting powder, some gas is released at room temperature when the powder is added to dough, but the majority of the gas is released after the temperature of the dough increases in the oven.


Jun 24, 2014
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just now
by: Anonymous

I took Baking Powder and felt, I have made a mistake and it should be baking soda. But the pain went away. So now I AM confused. Which is it, the one, or, the other. To take.

I understand the salt issues, and I would never take this a lot, maybe once a day. There is salt in seaweed too, and it's so good for you. I feel better eating this and I have gout.

So the jury is out right now. I really don't know. Maybe my mistake was the Right Thing to Do.

Jun 24, 2014
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Baking Powder or Baking Soda for GOUT
by: Anonymous

I took Baking Powder and felt, I have made a mistake and it should be baking soda. But the pain went away. So now I AM confused. Which is it, the one, or, the other. To take.

I understand the salt issues, and I would never take this a lot, maybe once a day. There is salt in seaweed too, and it's so good for you. I feel better eating this and I have gout.

So the jury is out right now. I really don't know. Maybe my mistake was the Right Thing to Do.

Aug 19, 2011
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Antacid
by: Anonymous

Interesting stuff here. I've used bicarbonate of soda as an antacid relief, just mix a teaspoon into a bit of water. It works for me!

Aug 30, 2010
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Baking Soda vs Baking Powder
by: Anonymous

Someone wrote here, that baking powder was the thing to use, rather than baking soda.

This is NOT TRUE! be advised, baking powder will increase pH (alkalinity) and thus, reduce your gout pain.

Baking powder is a leavening agent for breads and such - it includes baking powder (alkaline) and some variety of acid sults to cause a chemical reaction that produces CO2 (the bubbles in your bread, etc.).

Using baking powder for gout will have no affect, as the alkaline is counteracted by it's own acid content.

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