Low Stomach Acid Could Be Behind Your Bloating, Burping, and Gut Issues

If you’re constantly bloated, burping like clockwork after meals (or first thing in the morning), and feeling sluggish after eating, you might be thinking, “What is wrong with my digestion?”

In my clinical experience, a major but often missed cause is low stomach acid — a condition called hypochlorhydria.

Let’s unpack what that really means, why it happens, and more importantly, how you can fix it (without more antacids or guesswork).

What Is Hypochlorhydria?

Hypochlorhydria is a lack of sufficient stomach acid production. Stomach acid, or hydrochloric acid (HCl), is essential for:

• Breaking down proteins into amino acids
• Absorbing key nutrients (iron, B12, zinc, calcium, magnesium)
• Killing harmful bacteria, yeasts, parasites, and pathogens
• Triggering downstream digestive processes (bile flow, pancreatic enzymes)

Without enough stomach acid, digestion grinds to a halt. Undigested food sits in your stomach, ferments, and creates gas. That’s why burping and bloating are classic symptoms.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The Ripple Effect of Low Stomach Acid

When stomach acid is low:

• Protein digestion is impaired → leads to cravings, poor muscle repair, mood issues
• Mineral absorption drops → fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails, weakened immunity
• Bile flow slows down → poor fat digestion, gallbladder congestion
• Gut microbiome becomes imbalanced → dysbiosis, SIBO, Candida overgrowth
• Toxin clearance slows → more inflammation, hormonal imbalances, brain fog

It’s not “just” a burp problem. It’s a root-level digestive dysfunction.

Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid (That You Might Be Ignoring)

• Bloating, belching, and gas — especially after meals
• Fullness that lingers for hours
• Heartburn or reflux (paradoxically caused by too little acid)
• Nausea after fatty or protein-rich meals
• Undigested food in stool
• Iron, B12, or zinc deficiencies that don’t improve with supplements
• Constipation or slow bowel movements
• Gallbladder discomfort, right upper quadrant tightness
• Bad breath, coated tongue
• Feeling tired after eating, not energised

These symptoms often get dismissed as “IBS” or “food intolerance” — but they often trace back to poor stomach acid production.

What Causes Low Stomach Acid?

Several modern lifestyle factors contribute to hypochlorhydria:

• Chronic stress: Being stuck in “fight or flight” shuts down digestive secretions
• Ageing: Stomach acid production naturally declines after age 30
• Long-term antacid or PPI use: Medications like Nexium, Losec, or even constant antacids
• Nutrient deficiencies: Zinc, B vitamins, and magnesium are all needed to make stomach acid
• H. pylori infection: This common bacteria suppresses acid production
• Poor chewing and rushed eating: Digestion starts in the mouth and brain
• Processed, low-fibre diets: Lack of real food = lack of digestive stimulation

The irony is, most people with bloating and reflux are told they have too much acid, when really, their stomach is not acidic enough to function properly.

How I Support My Clients to Restore Stomach Acid Naturally

Here’s how I approach hypochlorhydria holistically — blending clinical nutrition and body-based self-regulation:

1. Rebuild Digestive Signalling

• Apple cider vinegar or Swedish bitters before meals to wake up the gut
• Focused chewing (20-30 chews per bite)
• Mindful eating rituals to shift into parasympathetic (rest/digest) mode
• No cold drinks with meals — they dilute enzymes and acid

2. Targeted Supplement Support

• Betaine HCl with pepsin (used cautiously and titrated properly)
• Zinc carnosine to heal and support stomach lining and acid production
• Digestive enzymes to assist while acid is still low
• Mucosal repair support if irritation is present (think slippery elm, deglycyrrhizinated licorice)

3. Nervous System Regulation

• Breathwork, vagal tone exercises, and somatic practices to signal safety to the body
• You can’t digest if your body thinks you’re running from a tiger
• This is where my somatic therapy work supports long-term gut healing

4. Addressing Root Causes

• Testing for H. pylori, SIBO, or gut dysbiosis if indicated
• Assessing gallbladder function (they work together)
• Correcting nutrient deficiencies that are blocking proper acid production

5. Rebuilding the Digestive Ecosystem

• Support downstream organs — liver, gallbladder, microbiome
• Reintroduce fibre, prebiotics, and gentle fermented foods once acid is supported

This is not a “take a supplement and hope for the best” approach. It’s step-by-step, personalised, and aligned with your body’s pace.

Why DIY Fixes Can Backfire

I know how tempting it is to buy Betaine HCl from a health shop and dive in. But if you have:

• Gastritis
• An active ulcer
• H. pylori infection
• Gallbladder dysfunction

You can make things worse.

Proper testing, clinical reasoning, and supporting the whole digestive cascade is what actually gets results.

This is where personalised guidance changes everything.

Work With Me 1:1 — No More Guessing

If you’re sick of bloating, burping, and wondering why food makes you feel worse — let’s work together.

As a dietitian and somatic therapist, I combine clinical nutrition, functional testing, and body-based healing to help you restore your digestion at the root.

No gimmicks. No bandaid fixes. Just you, feeling good in your gut again.

Book your consult with me at ancavereen.com.

Your body wants to heal. It just needs the right support.