Is reflux the result of high stomach acid?

There is lots of discussion about the cause of acid reflux and whether it is the result of high or low stomach acid. A simple google search can result in discussions around tests that can be done to find this out. One such test is described as the bicarbonate test which involves drinking sodium bicarbonate solution and seeing if it causes you to burp. If it does then there must be enough stomach acid to create the gas and if not you have low stomach acid instead. Unfortunately, sodium bicarbonate can also release trapped wind so this isn’t really a test with any robust evidence to support it.

In reality, it is less a discussion of the amount of stomach acid and more a question of timing. Oftentimes, we are under so much stress and running around that we simply don’t help our digestive system time to work as it should. The advent of readily available food means that we don’t have time to prime the stomach to produce the acid needed to start the break down process. This can then mean that food takes longer to leave the stomach and the risk for reflux is much higher as a result.

Without enough stomach acid this can affect the rest of the digestive process and can effectively mean we turn our digestive system into the equivalent of a compost bin where food has to effectively rot down to enable us to absorb what we need. This can lead to symptoms of bloating, flatulence and pain. In some people it can even cause nausea and vomiting.

Taking time to prepare food is an important part of the process as digestion starts in the brain (known as the cephalic response). The physical process of food preparation alongside the smell of food cooking tells the brain to start the process and it takes around 20 minutes for the message to reach the stomach. If we cannot take time to prepare our food we can take time to think about what it is we will be eating and how is smells, tastes and makes us feel. Though this may sound silly it is a key part of supporting better breakdown of our food and be key to reducing those IBS like symptoms that can occur.

There are many more factors that affect stomach acid levels that we will look at in another blog. If you are experiencing symptoms like these and not taking time to prepare for food then give it a try. It really is a simple part of the process and so easy to do.