A gastroenterologist explains why the viral baking soda burp test circulating TikTok isnt valid for testing stomach acid levels.

3: The Future of Processed Foods

Our editors independently select these products.

If we burp quickly, then it suggests there is an adequate amount of stomach acid.

alt

If it takes longer, then it suggests we are deficient in stomach acid.

I like the idea; it makes sense.

But it is not valid.

Photography of a apple juice in glasses and apples in a wicker basket on wooden table

registered dietitian and prenatal and postnatal health expert

This, he says, is because the test has not actually been scientifically proven to work effectively.

In short, this test is misleading and will lead to varied outcomes without true benchmarks for analyzing results.

That being said, he confirms that consuming the baking soda in water is not considered harmful.

red pigment in a wooden spoon

What does low stomach acid actually even mean?

So, whats all of the hype regarding stomach acid levels, and does it matter?

Both traditionalallopathicmedical doctors and alternative healthcare practitioners agree that there is such a thing ashypochlorhydria.

alt

But thats about all they agree on.

My take is based on the balance of the evidence.

We actually see the opposite, says Dr. Bulsiewicz.

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

registered dietitian and prenatal and postnatal health expert

Meaning that adrinking baking sodaburp test that indicates low stomach acid levels might not really mean too much.

To be clear, Im not actually arguing for indiscriminate and widespread use of acid-reducing medicine.

My preference is to use diet and lifestyle, whenever possible, instead of these medicines.

A hand is stirring a sourdough starter in a glass jar, on a kitchen countertop. The light casts a warm glow, highlighting the ingredients inside the jar.

Instead, Dr. Bulsiewicz recommends trying a few other methods to manage symptoms.

Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.

Two cups with coffee and green tea on a beige background.