A gastroenterologist explains why the viral baking soda burp test circulating TikTok isnt valid for testing stomach acid levels.
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If we burp quickly, then it suggests there is an adequate amount of stomach acid.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Instead, Dr. Bulsiewicz recommends trying a few other methods to manage symptoms.
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