Stomach acid has many names such as gastric acid, digestive fluid, gastric juice, and so on. Everything refers to stomach acid in layman’s terms. Here we are exploring what does stomach looks like and how strong it is.
Learning about stomach acid helps how to take care of your digestive system. Learn what it can do to your body and how to cope with it when it is too strong or too weak.
Table of Contents
What is Stomach Acid?
Stomach acid or gastric juice liquid in the stomach is made of numerous compounds. That includes:
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
- Pepsin
- Lipase
- Mucin
- Intrinsic factor
- Peptides
- Nucleic acids and
- Electrolytes
Furthermore, they may contain saliva from swallowing, bile from gastroduodenal reflux, inflammatory mediators, or even blood from damaged stomach walls.
The amount of gastric juice produced per day is likely to be between 3 and 4 liters. The hydrochloric acid in gastric juice breaks down the food. At the same time, digestive enzymes break down the proteins.
Acidic gastric juice also kills bacteria. The mucus covers the stomach wall with a protective layer. This, along with bicarbonate, ensures that the stomach wall itself isn’t damaged by hydrochloric acid.
Stomach acid is highly acidic. It has to be must be highly acidic for it to break down everything from meat to tough, fibrous plants.
The stomach acid breaks down food to make digestion easier. Meaning, that while your digestive system moves food through, your body becomes more capable of absorbing nutrients faster.
Normal stomach acid levels don’t cause illness or health complications to your body, because your stomach is designed to deal with it.
Acidity levels in your stomach can sometimes fluctuate. Gastric juices that are too high or too low can sometimes cause problems.
What Does Stomach Acid Look Like?
Basically, stomach acid or gastric juice is a watery, colorless fluid produced by the lining of the stomach. Gastric juices are usually in their normal state clear in color.
Endoscopies reveal that gastric juice is clear. The mucus of the esophagus (stomach) looks yellow and somewhat similar to nasal mucus.
In case of vomiting, you may see green or yellowish stuff that you threw up. This is usually bile vomited from the duodenum. This is extremely bitter. Bile does not come from the stomach.
The digestive fluid Bile is greenish-yellow in color and essential for the breakdown of fats. Additionally, it eliminates worn-out red blood cells and toxins. Your liver produces bile and stores it in your gallbladder.
How Strong is Stomach Acid?
On behalf of your body, stomach acid interacts with a wide range of things. Two of the main tasks are:
- Making food more digestible by breaking it down into smaller pieces.
- Defending you against pathogens and microbes that could make you sick
To perform these tasks, you need an acidic liquid. Yet what level of acidity is necessary you may want to know?
Understanding how acid is measured in liquids will help you understand stomach acid’s strength. pH is a measure of acidity. A pH reading is between 0 and 14. Acid levels in fluids are stronger at lower pH levels and weak at higher PH levels. I am sure now can guess what is the pH level of water. The pH level of water is 7 a midpoint of 0 to 14.
Here are a few examples for you to understand easily:
- Battery acid – It has a pH of 0. Battery acids are extremely potent.
- Water – pH level of water is 7. It is a natural liquid.
- Alkaline – Seawater, Baking soda, bleaches pH levels from 8 to 13.
A stomach acid’s pH reading is between 1-2 – Highly Acidic
A stomach acid’s pH is between 1-2. It is quite acidic. In fact, battery acid is capable of dissolving materials such as metals and bones. In the case of stomach acid, with its pH level, just one or two spots higher can be deadly. It is good enough to damage the strongest materials, like bones and teeth.
Medical professionals use a range of methods to test for stomach acidity levels. These methods are designed to assess the stomach’s acidity levels.
Stomach Acid with Lower Levels of Hydrochloric Acid and Its Effects
There is nothing abnormal about your stomach acid’s acidic level fluctuating from time to time.
This essential fluid can be harmed by certain situations, like medications. These can hinder your body from producing HCI as much as it should.
Symptoms of low hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach include:
- Heartburn
- Upset stomach
- Burping
- Nausea with vomiting
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Hair loss
Causes of low hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach include:
- Hormones imbalance especially overproduction
- Gastric outlet obstruction
- In some cases stopping medications to lower stomach acid
- H. pylori infection
Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency Treatment
The hydrochloric acid in your stomach should not be extremely low. If it is, you need appropriate treatment. In medical terms, hypochlorhydria refers to a very low level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
You are at high risk of damaging your gastrointestinal system if you leave it untreated. The result can lead to infections as well as chronic health conditions.
It is best to consult a doctor for appropriate treatment without delay. The treatment he may recommend includes:
- Changes to your diet
- Supplements
- Stress management
- Antibiotics for any infections
Stomach Acid with Higher Levels of Hydrochloric Acid and Its Effects
Your stomach mucus may cease to function if the amount of acid in your stomach juices is too high. You may end up with health complications such as acid reflux, GERD, and gastric ulcers.
Symptoms of high hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach include:
- heartburn
- bloating
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
- decreased appetite
- abdominal discomfort
- weight loss
Causes of high hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach include:
- High-stress levels
- Aging and mostly over 65
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Zinc deficiencies
- Stomach surgery
- Chronic illness
How to Treat High Hydrochloric Acid Levels
This requires treatments with medication. The doctor may suggest to got for Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to help reduce the hydrochloric acid levels in your stomach. On top of that depending on the condition they may include dietary changes, antibiotics, and in some cases surgeries.
Stomach Acidity Home Remedies
There are many home remedies that could be tried to get relief from stomach acidity. Here are 10 remedies suggested that include using:
- Cinnamon
- Basil Leaves
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Buttermilk
- Cloves
- Cumin Seeds
- Jaggery
- Ginger
- Cold Milk
- Fennel
These may be handy stomach acidity remedies to use in case of experiencing early symptoms.
Take away
The stomach acid or gastric juices looks colorless in their normal state. It is made of numerous compounds.
Stomach acid is highly acidic. It is highly acidic to break down food and make it easier for our body to absorb nutrients.
Stomach acid has a pH level of between 1 and 2 which falls into the category of highly acidic.
The hydrochloric acid of stomach acid levels can fluctuate. Low and high levels of hydrochloric acid can cause health issues. There required treatment or changing your diet accordingly is necessary.
If you think you might be suffering from high or low stomach acid levels, you should consult your physician. This way you can ensure of prevention long-term complications.
6 Sources
Noble Home Remedies relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations for accuracy and reliability while avoiding tertiary references. Our editorial policy provides more information about how we ensure our content is accurate and up-to-date.
- How does the stomach work? – Published in NCBI
- pH and Water by Science for Changing World
- Gastric secretion by Britannica
- Gastric juice acidity in upper gastrointestinal diseases by World of Journal of Gastroenterology
- The Evolution of Stomach Acidity and Its Relevance to the Human Microbiome
- Control of Gastric Acid Secretion in Health and Disease by American Gastroenterological Association
