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Dr. Michelle Jorgensen
Topics:
Holistic Health and Wellness
Gut Health Assessment
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The Baking Soda Test: How to Test for Low Stomach Acid
The baking soda test for low stomach acid

Have you ever wondered whether low stomach acid could be behind your bloating, reflux, or that heavy feeling after meals? It is more common than most people realize, and there is a simple test you can do at home with nothing but baking soda and water.

I am Dr. Michelle Jorgensen. As a holistic dentist and naturopath, I have watched low stomach acid quietly drive everything from poor digestion to weak nutrient absorption. The good news is that it is easy to check, and easier to support once you know.

Why Stomach Acid Matters More Than You Think

Stomach acid does far more than break down lunch. It is your first line of defense against unwanted microorganisms, it triggers proper digestion, and it unlocks the minerals and vitamins your body needs, including the ones that keep your teeth and bones strong.

Most people assume their problems come from too much acid. More often it is the opposite. Low stomach acid can lead to reflux, bloating, and sluggish digestion, yet it is frequently mistaken for high acid and treated with antacids, H2 blockers, or PPIs. The catch is that those lower acid even further, which can deepen the very problem they are meant to fix.
Low stomach acid and its role in digestion

Signs and Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid

Low stomach acid (sometimes called hypochlorhydria) is easy to miss because its signs overlap with so many everyday complaints. Some research suggests up to 60 percent of adults may have lower-than-ideal stomach acid. Common signs include:

  • Bloating or gas soon after meals
  • A heavy feeling after eating protein
  • Reflux or a burning sensation
  • Undigested food in the stool
  • Frequent burping
  • Fatigue after meals
  • Brittle nails or thinning hair
  • Feeling worse, not better, after taking antacids

If several of these sound familiar, the baking soda test below is a simple first step to gauge what is going on.

The Baking Soda Stomach Acid Test: How It Works

The baking soda test is a simple, low-cost way to get a clue about your stomach acid at home. When baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) meets stomach acid, the two react and release carbon dioxide gas, which makes you burp. The idea is straightforward: the more acid you have, the sooner that burp shows up.

If your acid levels are healthy, you will usually burp within two to three minutes of drinking the mixture. A burp that takes longer than three minutes can suggest lower stomach acid. Very early or repeated burping can point to higher acid.
The baking soda test for low stomach acid

How to Do the Baking Soda Test at Home

Here is the exact method I share with patients. Do it first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything.

  1. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda into 4 to 6 ounces of cold water.
  2. Drink the whole glass.
  3. Start a timer and watch for your first burp.
  4. Note how long it takes.

What Your Result Means

  • Burp within 2 to 3 minutes: your stomach acid is likely in a healthy range.
  • After 3 minutes or no burp: may point to low stomach acid.
  • Very early or lots of burping: may point to higher acid.

One test is not a diagnosis. Swallowed air, what you ate the day before, and other factors can shift the result, so repeat it on a few separate mornings for a clearer picture.
Foods that support healthy stomach acid and digestion

Natural Ways to Support Healthy Stomach Acid

If your test points to low acid, there is a lot you can do to support your body naturally:

  • Apple cider vinegar: a tablespoon in water before meals may help support acid production. It is a helpful habit, not a fix for very low acid.
  • Fermented foods: sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir add organic acids, enzymes, and beneficial microbes that support digestion. If you deal with mold illness, candida, or fungal overgrowth, these may not sit well, so ease in slowly.
  • Slow down and chew: digestion starts before food ever reaches your stomach.
  • Revisit acid-blockers with your provider: if you are on antacids or PPIs, talk with your practitioner about whether they still fit.

Targeted Support: Digest Assist

Sometimes food and habits are not quite enough on their own, and a targeted supplement can help support digestion while you work on the root cause. That is exactly why I formulated Digest Assist.

Digest Assist combines Betaine HCl with vegan protease enzymes to support healthy stomach acid levels and help break down protein, so you feel lighter after meals and absorb more of the nutrients in your food. Take it mid-meal, especially with protein-rich foods. One note: if you use NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin regularly, skip Betaine HCl supplements unless your provider okays it.
Digest Assist digestive enzyme supplement by Living Well with Dr. Michelle

Digest Assist

Digest Assist is Dr. Michelle's doctor-formulated blend of Betaine HCl and vegan protease enzymes, designed to support healthy stomach acid levels, help break down protein, and ease bloating and post-meal heaviness — naturally.

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The Surprising Link Between Your Gut and Your Mouth

Here is where my two worlds meet. Low stomach acid does not just affect digestion, it affects how well you absorb the minerals that build strong teeth and bones. When acid is low, minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc are harder to pull from your food, which can leave your whole body, teeth included, short on the raw materials it needs.

That is why I look at gut health and oral health as one connected system, not two separate checkboxes.

When to See a Professional

If your symptoms are ongoing, getting worse, or you suspect something deeper, it is worth working with a gastroenterologist or a practitioner who focuses on digestive health. The baking soda test is a helpful first clue, not a final answer.

This is step one of a bigger picture. For the full walkthrough, read my guide on how to heal your gut naturally.
Digest Assist digestive enzyme supplement by Living Well with Dr. Michelle

Feel Lighter After Every Meal

Digest Assist gives your stomach the Betaine HCl and vegan enzymes it needs to break down food and ease bloating. Doctor-formulated by Dr. Michelle for daily support with meals.

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The Bottom Line

Low stomach acid is common, easy to overlook, and simple to check. The baking soda test gives you a quick read at home, and from there you can support your body with the right foods, habits, and targeted help like Digest Assist. Listen to what your digestion is telling you, it is often where whole-body health begins.

Not sure if low stomach acid is behind your symptoms? Take Dr. Michelle's free Gut Health Assessment.
Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, DDS, is a biologic and holistic dentist, naturopath, author, and the founder and formulator behind Living Well with Dr. Michelle. After her own health journey through gut and digestive struggles, she built a clean, science-backed line to support the body at the root — for her own family and patients. More than one million bottles of her tooth powder have been sold.

Frequently asked questions

Is the baking soda test accurate for stomach acid?

It is a helpful at-home indicator, not a lab-grade diagnosis. It gives you a useful clue about whether your stomach acid may be low, especially when you repeat it over a few mornings.

What are the signs of low stomach acid?

Common signs include bloating or gas after meals, heaviness after protein, reflux, frequent burping, fatigue after eating, and feeling worse after taking antacids.

How do you test stomach acid at home?

The simplest at-home method is the baking soda test: mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 4 to 6 ounces of cold water first thing in the morning, drink it, and time how long it takes to burp.

What does it mean if you burp quickly after drinking baking soda and water?

A quick burp comes from baking soda reacting with your stomach acid to release carbon dioxide gas. Burping within two to three minutes generally suggests healthy acid levels.

Can low stomach acid be fixed?

Often yes. Many people support healthy stomach acid with dietary changes, better meal habits, and targeted support like Betaine HCl (found in Digest Assist), while addressing the root cause.