Gastric juice - composition, function & importance
Gastric juice: tasks, role of hydrochloric acid & intrinsic factor. What to do if you have too much or too little stomach acid? Tips with zinc, bitter substances & betaine HCl.
Things worth knowing about "Gastric juice"
Gastric juice is a digestive fluid that is formed in the glands of the gastric mucosa and consists of hydrochloric acid (HCl), the enzyme pepsin, the intrinsic factor and protective mucous substances.
The main tasks of gastric juice are protein breakdown, defence against pathogens and supporting nutrient absorption.Hydrochloric acid creates a highly acidic environment with a pH value of 1 to 3, which activates pepsin and enables it to efficiently break down proteins into smaller components. At the same time, stomach acid acts as a natural barrier against bacteria and viruses that are ingested with food. The intrinsic factor, in turn, is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12, which is required for blood formation and the nervous system, among other things.
Disrupted stomach acid production can cause various symptoms. An excess of stomach acid often leads to heartburn, gastritis or reflux symptoms, while too low stomach acid production can favour digestive problems, bloating, nutrient deficiencies and infections. Older people or people with chronic gastrointestinal diseases are particularly affected.
Certain nutrients play an important role in supporting gastric juice production in a natural way. Zinc is important for stomach acid production, while bitter substances from plants such as gentian or artichoke can stimulate digestion. Betaine HCl is also frequently used as a dietary supplement to improve digestion when there is insufficient stomach acid.
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