Acidity - Cause, Symptom, Lifestyle Changes & Remedies

Our body is a complex and sophisticated biological system that functions harmoniously to sustain life!

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For instance, did you know that our body changes from acidic to alkaline across the length of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to facilitate optimal digestion and nutrient absorption? To support this process, the pH levels within different parts of the GI tract vary.

The Delicate Acid-Base Balance 

Starting from the mouth, the pH is generally close to neutral, around 6.5 to 7.5, allowing for the initial stages of digestion through chewing and saliva production. As food travels down the esophagus (food pipe) to the stomach, it encounters a highly acidic environment due to the secretion of gastric acid. The stomach pH is typically between 1.5 and 3.5, which aids in the breakdown of food, sterilizes it by killing potential pathogens, and activates enzymes involved in protein digestion. The ph level changes back to alkaline in the small intestine, and back to acidic again in the large intestine. Our body, quite remarkably, manages and controls this acidic-alkaline balance to activate various digestive enzymes, across the length of the GI tract to create an optimum environment for the digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients from the food.

However, quite often, due to our lifestyle choices and dietary habits, this delicate balance of acidity within the GI tract can be disrupted, leading to an increased prevalence of acidity-related issues.

Acidity - Causes 

• Excessive production of stomach acid: One of the primary causes of acidity is the overproduction of stomach acid. This can occur due to factors such as certain medications, stress, or underlying medical conditions. When the stomach produces an excess amount of acid, it can lead to symptoms like heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion.