Increase Stomach Acid Naturally With 6 Methods - Medical News Today

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How can you naturally increase stomach acid?

Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, RDN, CDCES — Written by Jamie Eske — Updated on March 20, 2023

6 natural methods
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
When to see a doctor
Outlook
Summary

Low stomach acid can lead to gas, infections, and other problems. Ways to increase stomach acid include taking hydrochloric acid supplements, eating more zinc-rich foods, and consuming ginger.

Stomach, or gastric, acid is a digestive fluid containing hydrochloric acid (HCL) and digestive enzymes. Stomach acid breaks down food and kills harmful bacteria.

There are a number of reasons the stomach may not produce enough acid. Some of these include infection, taking certain medications, and the aging process.

The medical term for low stomach acid is hypochlorhydria. When this happens, the other digestive organs cannot absorb essential nutrients from the food a person eats.

This article will discuss six natural ways to increase stomach acid. It will also examine the causes of low stomach acid and some associated risk factors.

6 natural ways to increase stomach acid

A woman eats yogurt, which may be a way how to increase stomach acid. — Taking certain supplements and making some dietary changes may help, though the available evidence is slim.

Treatments for low stomach acid depend on the underlying cause. However, there are some methods a person can try at home to improve stomach acid levels.

Below are six things a person can try to increase stomach acid naturally.

1. Try HCL supplements

According to a 2015 review, older adults have a higher risk of developing digestive conditions that reduce their stomach acid levels.

Digestive conditions that may decrease stomach acid levels include Helicobacter pylori infection (a bacterial infection of the stomach) and atrophic gastritis (which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the lining of the stomach).

As a person ages, their stomach also produces less pepsin. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins and aids digestion.

People with low levels of stomach acid may benefit from taking HCL supplements. Digestive enzyme supplements that also contain pepsin may be especially beneficial for older adults.

However, a person should speak with a doctor before taking any supplements. Although supplements may alleviate symptoms, the hypochlorhydria may be due to an underlying health condition that requires medical attention.

2. Increase zinc intake

Zinc is an essential mineral present in human cells. The stomach uses zinc to produce HCL.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that adults consume 8–11 milligrams of zinc each day.

People who do not get enough zinc in their diets and those with poor zinc absorption may have low stomach acid levels. Addressing a zinc deficiency could help increase stomach acidity.

People can increase their zinc intake by making dietary changes or taking zinc supplements. However, they should speak with their healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.

Some zinc-rich foods a person can add to their diet include:

oysters
lobster
beef
nuts and seed cashews
beans
yogurt
fortified breakfast cereal

3. Take probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that support a healthful balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

A 2017 review article found evidence of an association between low stomach acidity and bacterial overgrowth in the gut.

Taking probiotics may inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and help increase levels of stomach acid.

Foods that naturally contain probiotics include:

yogurt
cottage cheese
kefir
sauerkraut
kimchi
tempeh
kombucha
miso

4. Eat ginger

Ginger possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate stomach inflammation due to low stomach acid.

People commonly use ginger as a natural remedy for nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion.

Some proponents suggest that ginger may stimulate the production and secretion of essential digestive enzymes and increase movement through the intestines.

However, there is not enough scientific evidence to fully support these claims. More high quality studies are necessary.

5. Limit refined carbohydrate intake

Making certain dietary changes may help increase stomach acidity. For example, diets that are high in refined carbohydrates (sugars and low fiber, starchy foods) may lead to inflammation in the stomach and other digestive organs.

Although some research suggests that the inflammation is directly due to refined carbohydrates and excess sugar, some experts suggest that it may be due to an overgrowth of yeast fungi in the stomach that causes diarrhea, bloating, and constipation.

Proponents may suggest trying the candida diet, which involves eliminating gluten, sugar, and certain dairy products. However, there is little scientific evidence to prove that this can prevent an overgrowth of yeast fungi in the gut.

6. Chew thoroughly

Mastication is the technical term for chewing food, and it is the first step in the digestive process. Chewing breaks down food into smaller pieces. These pieces then mix with saliva, which leads to the next step of the digestive process.

People who experience symptoms of low stomach acid may want to consider taking smaller bites and chewing their food thoroughly. This may allow for adequate digestion.

Symptoms of low stomach acid

Hypochlorhydria is a condition that occurs when a person has low levels of HCL in their stomach. It can lead to symptoms such as:

excess gas
burping
bloating
diarrhea
heartburn
intestinal infections
nutrient deficiencies, such as iron and vitamin B12
hair loss

Causes

Several factors can contribute to low stomach acid. These may include:

long-term use of medications that affect stomach acid levels, such as antacids
hypothyroidism
chronic or recurring infections of the digestive tract
stomach or pancreatic cancer
aging
zinc deficiency
stomach surgery

Risk factors

Although anyone can have low stomach acid, hypochlorhydria is most common in adults aged 60 years and over.

Some other factors that may increase a person’s risk of low levels of stomach acid include:

chronic use of antacids and certain prescription medications
zinc deficiency
regular high levels of stress
H. pylori infection of the stomach cells
a history of gastric bypass surgery

When to see a doctor

Although occasional bloating and stomach pain can lead to discomfort, these symptoms tend to resolve on their own with time.

However, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommend that people contact their doctor if they experience indigestion for longer than 2 weeks.

The NIDDK also suggest that people seek immediate medical attention for the following symptoms:

blood in the stool or vomit
frequent vomiting
unintentional weight loss
pain or difficulty when swallowing
pain in the chest, jaw, neck, or arm
severe, constant stomach pain
shortness of breath
sweating
jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes or skin

Outlook

Hypochlorhydria is a relatively common condition that can lead to bloating, indigestion, and changes in bowel habits.

Low stomach acid is not a life threatening condition. However, it can result in chronic stomach inflammation and severely reduce a person’s quality of life.

People can manage symptoms of hypochlorhydria and increase their levels of stomach acid by making certain dietary and lifestyle changes.

Older adults may benefit from taking HCL supplements that contain pepsin, which is an essential digestive enzyme.

People who experience indigestion that lasts longer than 2 weeks may wish to consider speaking with a healthcare professional.

Summary

There are a few things that people can try to naturally increase their levels of stomach acid. However, there is not much evidence supporting these methods.

People should speak with a doctor before taking any new supplements or making any significant dietary changes.

They should also contact a healthcare professional if they have indigestion that lasts longer than 2 weeks and seek medical attention if they experience blood in the stool, frequent vomiting, or unintentional weight loss.

Acid Reflux / GERD
GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Nutrition / Diet

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bodagh, M. N., et al. (2019). Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6341159/
Britton, E., & McLaughlin, J. T. (2013). Ageing and the gut. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/proceedings-of-the-nutrition-society/article/ageing-and-the-gut/A85D096755F5F7652C262495ABF302A0/core-reader
Fatima, R., & Aziz, M. (2020). Achlorhydria.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507793/
Franceschi, F., et al. (2014). Role of Helicobacter pylori infection on nutrition and metabolism. https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v20/i36/12809.htm
Kines, K., & Krupczak, T. (2016). Nutritional interventions for gastroesophageal reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and hypochlorhydria: A case report. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4991651/
Rémond, D., et al. (2015). Understanding the gastrointestinal tract of the elderly to develop dietary solutions that prevent malnutrition.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4546438/
Sarker, S. A., et al. (2017). Hunger and microbiology: Is a low gastric acid-induced bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine a contributor to malnutrition in developing countries?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5609274/
Symptoms & causes of indigestion. (2016).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/indigestion-dyspepsia/symptoms-causes
Zinc: Fact sheet for consumers. (2019).https://ods.od.nih.gov/pdf/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer.pdf
Zinc: Fact sheet for health professionals. (2020).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional

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Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, RDN, CDCES — Written by Jamie Eske — Updated on March 20, 2023

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