Check your stomach acid: Is the baking soda test reliable?

Mar 17, 2025 Siddhartha Jana

Gut health is key to well-being

A healthy gut facilitates better digestion and nutrition absorption, which is crucial for general health and lifespan. Source: Canva

Baking soda burp test

By combining baking soda and water on an empty stomach, the burping speed can be used to determine the amount of stomach acid present. Source: Canva

Low vs. high stomach acid

Acid reflux, fermentation, and undigested food are all symptoms of low stomach acid, which is not usually the result of too much acid. Source: Canva

Burping has several causes

Burping is not a valid diagnostic indicator because it might be caused by SIBO, rapid food, low or high stomach acid, or air swallowing. Source: Canva

Baking soda test is unreliable

Burping can be caused by a number of variables other than stomach acid levels, hence there is no medical standardization for this at-home test. Source: Canva

Seek medical advice for accuracy

The most accurate method for determining stomach acid levels is a medical diagnostic, such as the Heidelberg pH test. Source: Canva

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