Baking soda is thought to help return pH levels to normal in the vagina, and for this reason it’s considered by some to be a treatment for yeast infections. However, there is at least one problem with this theory. Baking soda is a high alkaline food, and yeast can thrive in alkaline environments.

The pH tends to go up and down in women based on hormonal rhythems each month. For example, the symptoms of a recurring yeast infection tend to intensify just before menstruation occurs. However, once the period concludes, the symptoms dissipate.

The pH in the vagina is much more alkaline before and during menstruation. This is when yeast can grow and become more active, and this causes a woman to feel symptoms.

But as we know, consuming a high-sugar diet creates an environment that yeast can multiply in. So an acidic climate would also cause overgrowth.

Certain parts of the body need a pH that is alkaline, and some that are acidic. The body is in a constant balancing act everywhere to keep the body healthy.

What we find then is that a yeast infection can grow in either a acidic or alkaline environment, and occurs primarily as a result of a change from one to another.

The normal pH for the vagina is slightly acidic. So if this environment is altered for instance due to hormonal changes, then a yeast infection can occur in an alkaline environment.

How does this all relate to baking soda? The idea behind consuming baking soda in the first place is to help achieve an overall slightly alkaline pH, which is considered healthy. There are many foods however that can help the body achieve this, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains.

However, a body pH can be too alkaline, so there has to be a good balance between the two. An all alkaline diet is not healthy to consume. The stomach for instance needs acid to break down and digest food.

Can baking soda help cure a yeast infection? Because it’s such a high alkaline food, I would say probably not. I don’t think there is any evidence to support that it can be a successful treatment. In fact, I would actually say that it’s more likely to worsen or cause a yeast infection, rather than cure one.

Yeast can grow in a highly acidic or alkaline environment, so your best bet is just to eat a well balanced, healthy diet that contains little processed and junk food.

I personally don’t think that taking baking soda as a treatment for yeast infections will produce any positive results. Please comment if you have any experience with this.

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