The chemical composition of baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which is a weak alkali, and the composition of edible alkali is sodium hydroxide, which is obviously different.

The alkalinity of edible alkali is obviously stronger than that of baking soda.

Baking soda is generally used in fermented foods, which can neutralize gastric acid and protect gastric mucosa. In addition, it can also alkalize urine, which is very beneficial to gout patients.

Baking soda can be counted as alkali, because the local dialect of baking soda is called heavy alkali, water alkali, alkali, screwdriver, etc., and its scientific name is sodium bicarbonate, which is a weakly alkaline white powder, but it is still different from edible alkali.

Extended data:

Baking soda, that is, sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as "baking soda", "baking soda powder" and "Chongcao", is an industrial chemical with less solubility in water than sodium carbonate, and may be toxic; Edible alkali, also known as alkaline noodles, is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

Baking soda water is weakly alkaline, and it will not be too obvious when used in flour and bread. Soda water is alkaline, so when it is used for fermentation, just use a little.

Edible alkali is often used to decompose protein and preserve food, such as cooking zongzi and millet porridge, which can help soften the taste.

Baidu encyclopedia-baking soda