what is the use of baking soda

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a popular baking ingredient that gives foods like bread, cakes, muffins, and cookies a light, fluffy texture by reacting with an acid and causing dough to rise by producing carbon dioxide. However, baking soda has many other household uses aside from cooking, such as cleaning countertops, supporting oral care, and controlling the growth of harmful microorganisms, including mold or bacteria. Baking soda can also be used as a remedy for multiple different uses, such as easing pain, neutralizing odors, and boosting the pain-killing powers of lidocaine used in epidurals. Baking soda is generally used as an active ingredient in quick-bake recipes such as cookies, muffins, and pancakes due to its fast-acting chemical reaction with acidic counterparts.