Part 6
You’ll see a lot of claims online that low stomach acids causes acid reflux, but to me the logic doesn’t quite add up. For reflux to be acidic, the stomach has to actually produce acid! That said, low stomach acid does exist. If food hangs out in your stomach too long, its more likely to come up in protest. It’s just that the reflux is ot as acidic, but still as annoying. In chapter 1 (see page 11), we discussed the link between low stomach acid, and thyroid health and low B12 (aka pernicious anaemia), so if you struggle with thyroid issues or are B12 deficient, it might be worth investigating your stomach acid levels.
I’ve seen people say you can check for low stomach acid by drinking bicarbonate of soda, because it should react with hydrochloric acid to form carbon dioxide – making you burp. If you don’t burp you have low stomach acid. But it’s not reliable; your more likely to burp as you swallow air when you drink. The only way accurate way to measure stomach acid is with a pH sensor inside the stomach, not the nicest experience but precise.
Information source – “How to Gut Health” publication by Jordan Haworth, Gut Health Scientist. – https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Gut-Health-Science-backed-metabolism/dp/1785046241
