What is Stomach Acid

Stomach Acid, also known as Gastric Acid is what helps us digest food. It is highly acidic and ranges from 1-3 on the pH scale used to measure the acidity of acids, it is corrosive enough to ruin metal. Its chemical contents are sodium chloride, potassium chloride and hydrochloric acid.
Even thou created by the body, this acid is still destructive to human tissues. Because of this the body creates a natural barrier made of mucous to protect the lining of the stomach from being damaged.

This barrier may have been damaged in some peoples stomachs which allows the acid to damage the stomach causing an ulcer. A problem with the sphincter (muscular band at top of stomach that keeps stomach closed) may cause acid reflux because it allows acid to escape from the opening allowing it to irritate the esophagus.

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