Does baking soda make the body alkaline?

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) does not make the body alkaline. When dissolved in water, baking soda forms a basic solution with a pH above 7. However, when consumed, it does not significantly alter the pH of the bloodstream, which is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45 through various physiological mechanisms. The notion that altering the body's pH through dietary means can significantly impact health lacks robust scientific evidence.