Checking the acidity of gastric juice at home can only provide a rough idea of how the stomach is functioning.
One of the popular tests is based on the reaction of baking soda with hydrochloric acid. It is not a diagnostic method, but it can sometimes help to notice significant deviations.
How to perform the baking soda test
The essence of the method is based on the fact that baking soda reacts with the acid in the stomach and releases carbon dioxide. The timing of the belching indicates the likely acidity.
What you need to do:
- mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2 cup of warm water;
- drink the solution on an empty stomach and time it, without trying to induce or suppress belching;
- observe the body’s reaction for a few minutes.
Test results:
- no belching for more than 3 minutes: presumed decrease in acidity;
- strong belching within 30–40 seconds: presumed increase in acidity;
- weak belching within 1–3 minutes: conditionally normal reaction.
Why this test is unreliable
Despite its popularity, the baking soda test does not reflect the actual acidity of the stomach. Its results depend on many factors unrelated to the level of hydrochloric acid.
The influence of liquid evacuation speed. Warm water leaves the stomach quickly through the pylorus. If this happens too quickly, the reaction may not occur, even with normal acidity.
Features of the esophageal sphincter. Belching depends not only on gas formation but also on the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter. If it is relaxed, the reaction will occur sooner. Conversely, if it is tight, gas will be trapped, even if there is enough acid.
The influence of body position and stress. The rate of gas formation and the ability to release air can vary significantly depending on body position, stress level, and individual peristalsis.
Temperature and volume of water. The warmer and larger the volume of water, the faster it leaves the stomach. This greatly distorts the result.
The impossibility of quantitative assessment. The test does not allow for determining the actual pH level, as the reaction of baking soda with acid is not linear and depends on many external factors.
When the test can be somewhat useful
Sometimes the test can indicate a significant decrease in acidity if there is no belching for a long time and this is accompanied by heaviness in the stomach, bloating, and poor protein digestion.
However, this is only an indirect sign.
More reliable methods for assessing acidity:
- 24-hour gastric pH monitoring;
- measuring pH during gastroscopy;
- digestion analysis through stool as an indirect method;
- functional test with betaine HCl while monitoring sensations;
- assessment of accompanying symptoms and digestive function.
The baking soda test can only be used as a guideline, not as a diagnosis. For an accurate assessment of acidity status, it is better to rely on clinical and instrumental methods.
