Some of us wonder, how do we as humans digest food so easily? Which acid helps achieve such resilience to process almost anything (spicy samosa included)? To answer the question regarding digestive acid in the stomach, there are three types, which we will discuss in detail.
After going through this blog, you will be able to understand more about the digestive system and key components that help process everything, starting from healthy foods, to unhealthy or spicy biryani, or samosas. So, without any further ado, let us start with the detailed discussion.
The Key Acid Aids Digestion
One of the key acids that helps you in achieving the maximum efficiency for digestion is Hydrochloric Acid, or HCL. Yes, this is the same acid that is also used in floor cleaners and multiple cleaning products.
Where is it produced?
The parietal cells of the stomach are known to produce HCL, and this is one of the strongest naturally occurring acids present. The average acidity or pH of the HCL is between 1.5 and 3.5, but it varies as per diets and other physical conditions.
How does it work?
When the acidity is especially high, it attacks the food particles that you eat throughout the day and breaks them down. Moreover, the highly acidic environment is also helpful in activating several natural enzymes in your stomach.
Activated enzymes help in breaking down the proteins and fats inside your diet, which are essentially the two most abundant substances we eat.
If you feel you are having any stomach-related problems or are concerned about digestive health, opt for AskDocDoc. They provide personalised consultation and help in formulating diet charts, which can be helpful for your needs.
Other Acids in the Stomach
There are two other acids that are present in the stomach, mainly:
- Lactic Acid: This is an acid that is often present in our stomach due to the process of fermentation. However, it is not mandatory to have lactic acid in your stomach; it occurs when the food lingers in your stomach longer.
- Acetic Acid: This is a digestive acid present in your stomach due to the accumulation of by-products of metabolic reactions. Gut bacterial activity is also known to produce such stomach acids.
Comparing the acidity of the other acids, like acetic acid and lactic acid, they are not as strong as HCl. However, they have some role to play during the digestion process and preserve the overall environment of the stomach, which is appropriate for digesting food easily.
Are There Any Concerns Related to Stomach Acids?
Yes, there are mainly two kinds of concerns relevant to stomach acids, one being overproduction of HCL and the other being underproduction.
Overproduction of HCL or hyperacidity is caused when the ratio of acid exceeds the quantity of food. If you are feeling similar problems, it is essential to get expert advice from platforms like AskDocDoc. They help in providing solutions that work instead of taking medications, which just control the symptoms temporarily.
In case you do not produce enough stomach acid, it leads to problems like Hypochlorhydria. In Ayurveda, this is also called a “weak Agni” problem. In this condition, you cannot digest food properly, and older adults are more prone to this condition.
Final Words
HCL is the acid that mostly acts as the workhorse of the stomach; it dissolves, breaks down, and helps digest the food. Moreover, this acid is also known to kill pathogens in your food and helps in activating enzymes that break down protein and fats in the food.