The Baking Soda Burp Test - Eat For Living by Jennifer Lloyd (2024)

Your body needs to properly break down and absorb nutrients from the food you eat to fuel all its functions. If digestion is sluggish or inefficient, you might not be getting the full benefit from those nutrient-packed meals.

Stomach acid is also our first line of defence in killing viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. H.pylori for example, is a common bacteria that can proliferate in a stomach with low acid and cause inflammation leading to ulcers and GERD.⁠

Hint: Low stomach acid is the main cause of indigestion and Acid Reflux.

Medical science would have us believe that Acid Reflux is the result of too much stomach acid and will prescribe antacids. Unfortunately chronic antacid use can cause low stomach acid and make the problem worse – it becomes a vicious cycle

I am suggesting that Acid Reflux is actually caused by not enough stomach acid.

Hear me out.

If you don’t have enough stomach acid, food digests much more slowly and incompletely, which can lead to fermentation and lots of gas.⁠

What happens during fermentation? Yup, you got it, it bubbles up and expands along with the stomach acid that you do have – right up into the esophagus. ⁠

Low stomach acid is a common, often misunderstood problem. When a client comes to see me with symptoms of low stomach acid, aka hydrochloric acid or HCl, I work to identify and address the possible root causes. These can include stress, nutrient deficiencies, processed foods, h.pylori, chronic antacid use and aging (to name a few!).⁠

By working together to address the underlying causes, we can support your body in restoring optimal stomach acid levels. This, in turn, helps improve digestion and seemingly all of a sudden those symptoms you’ve been complaining about disappear.

⁠*If you are on a prescription for antacids please don’t stop taking them without consulting your doctor. Work with a practitioner that can help you wean off of them and address the underlying root cause.⁠

The Burp Test

First thing in the morning, before you have had anything to eat or drink…

1. Dissolve 1/4 tsp baking soda in 6-8 oz glass of cold water

2. Drink the solution and start timing till you have a good burp!

< 2 min = normal acidity

2-5 min = normal to low

> 5 min = low stomach acid

How does the Burp Test work?

The baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) create a chemical reaction in your stomach. The result of this reaction is carbon dioxide gas, which causes burping. So a burp within three minutes of drinking the baking soda solution may indicate an adequate level of stomach acid. A burp after three minutes (or not at all) may indicate a low level of stomach acid.

This is a simple, at home test for gaining insight into stomach acid levels, it is not the most scientific method but does give a good indication of your stomach acid levels. It is best done for at least three (ideally three) consecutive mornings to get the most accurate data possible.

Take the Burp Test and see where you land on the Digestion scale.

To get you started, download the 3 Simple Steps to Improving Digestion ⬇️