Hydrogen peroxide has been hailed as a hero for many uses by people. But can you drink hydrogen peroxide? The answer is not that simple. Even though there are some benefits to drinking hydrogen peroxide, it is not advisable to do so because of the harmful side effects it can have on your body. In this article, we will explore the facts about drinking hydrogen peroxide, whether there are any benefits to doing so, and some alternative ways you could use it instead.
Can You Drink Hydrogen Peroxide?
Although hydrogen peroxide is a potent oxidizing agent, it is also a very weak acid. Ingestion of small quantities of 3% hydrogen peroxide is generally not harmful, but ingestion of larger quantities may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. It’s important to note that hydrogen peroxide isn’t recommended for ingestion by the FDA or any other health organization. There are much safer ways to use hydrogen peroxide topically or internally.
Benefits Of Drinking Hydrogen Peroxide
1. It Clears Your Skin of Acne
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural ingredient found in urine and saliva. This means that it can be used to treat acne and other skin problems because it has antibacterial properties. It works by killing the bacteria that cause acne and helps to stop bacteria from growing on your skin.
2. It Treats Ringworm
Hydrogen peroxide can also help to prevent ringworm infections, which are caused by a fungus called dermatophytes. It is important to note that this treatment does not guarantee a total cure for ringworm infection but it does help to reduce its symptoms of it.
3. It Can Treat Earwax Buildup
Earwax buildup is a common problem among many people, especially those who live in humid climates or with allergies. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as an earwax cleaner and is an effective home remedy for removing ear wax buildup safely and easily without causing any side effects or damage to your ear.
4. It Can Treat Blisters
Hydrogen peroxide helps to prevent blisters, which are caused when the skin is damaged by an allergic reaction or friction. Hydrogen peroxide also prevents infections such as athlete’s foot and can help to reduce swelling after an injury.
5. It Relieves Pain and Eases Swelling
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural pain reliever as it can relieve pain caused by injuries, burns, and cuts. It also helps to reduce swelling and inflammation in the skin. Hydrogen peroxide is good for treating cuts, wounds, blisters, and burns and can help to prevent infections from occurring.
What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Drinking Hydrogen Peroxide?
1. Stomach Cramps
Drinking hydrogen peroxide can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. This is because hydrogen peroxide has a pH level of 3-5. The stomach has a pH level of 2-4, so the acidity in your stomach will be too high for your body to tolerate. The reason why hydrogen peroxide is harmful to your body is that it contains free radicals that damage the cells in your stomach and intestines.
2. Increased Risk of Cancer
There is a high risk of cancer when you drink hydrogen peroxide due to its high acidity level that damages the tissues that are required for cell reproduction and growth. Although there are no studies to show this conclusively, it can increase your risk of getting cancer cells because it causes DNA mutations. DNA mutations lead to cancerous cells being formed and these malignant cells can spread throughout the body if not treated properly. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, please consult a doctor before using hydrogen peroxide.
3. Skin Burns
Hydrogen peroxide can cause skin burns because it is highly alkaline, which will increase the chances of your skin becoming irritated and damaged by the alkalinity. The pH level in your skin can be measured using a pH meter, which measures the acidity or alkalinity of the environment. If you have sensitive skin, then you should refrain from drinking hydrogen peroxide to prevent any damage to your skin from occurring.
4. Kidney Damage
Hydrogen peroxide causes kidney damage as well due to its high acidity level that damages the tissues in your kidneys and bladder, as well as causing them to swell up and become harder for urine to flow out of them. The kidneys are important organs that control many functions in your body including blood pressure, digestion, and the production of hormones like testosterone and estrogen. If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease or have problems urinating then you should avoid drinking hydrogenating.
Alternatives To Drinking Hydrogen Peroxide
1. Use it to clean wounds
One of the benefits of hydrogen peroxide is that it can be used to disinfect wounds. If you have a wound that needs to be cleaned, you could use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect it. But keep in mind that you should not use it on open wounds because this can cause problems such as bacterial growth and infection.
2. Use it as an antiseptic
You could also use hydrogen peroxide as an antiseptic when you have cuts or blisters on your skin. After cleaning the area with soap and water, you could dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on the cut or blister to disinfect them and prevent infections from occurring. You could also put some hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and give yourself a quick spritz before going out into the sun for extended periods of time.
3. Use it as a mouthwash
You could also use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash if you have bad breath. You could mix one part hydrogen peroxide with four parts water and swish it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out.
4. Use it as a hair rinse
If you have dry, brittle or dull hair, you could use hydrogen peroxide as a hair rinse to soften your hair and make it shiny again. To do this, you would mix two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part water and apply it to your scalp by spraying the mixture onto your head. The hydrogen peroxide will then work on your scalp to cleanse and condition your hair follicles so that they become more receptive to absorbing the natural oils in the scalp that make up most of the natural shine of a person’s hair. After doing this, you could leave the solution on for several minutes before washing out with shampoo.
Conclusion
Hydrogen peroxide has been hailed as a hero for many uses by people. But can you drink hydrogen peroxide? The answer is not that simple. While it can be useful in a few situations, it is not recommended to drink hydrogen peroxide because of the damage it can cause to your body. There are many dangers associated with drinking hydrogen peroxide. It can cause harm to your stomach, lungs, and teeth. You are better off using hydrogen peroxide in alternative ways where it is not as harmful to your body.
