You know that sour taste you get in your mouth when you burp? It’s a disgusting taste that usually develops after we eat or drink. Sour burps come and go and may not seem like a serious concern other than giving you bad breath, but it actually can be causing trouble deep inside your gastrointestinal tract.
A sour burp is a common symptom of an acid reflux condition. We will look at how to get rid of them using home remedies for sour burps.
What Causes Sour Burps?
As acid reflux is a common condition for many people over the age of 40, it can present several or no symptoms at all. Having sour burps can be a sign of such an issue with the gastrointestinal system. There are several factors that can cause you to experience sour burps.
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Also known as acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, it is one of the more common causes of having a sour burp. This bitter taste in your mouth may be accompanied by other symptoms such as belching, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, or regurgitation. A burning sensation in the chest may follow a sour burp.
2. Poor Diet
Sour burps can be suddenly brought on by what you eat or drink, as well as the way you consume your food. Drinking too many carbonated and caffeinated drinks and alcohol increases your risk of acid reflux, leading to sour burping. You may also experience the condition by eating too fast, as well as by talking while chewing and swallowing.
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is responsible for preventing the acid from making its way back up after indigestion. This muscle can malfunction with these types of drinks.
3. Obesity
Being overweight or carrying an excessive amount of weight can be harmful to your health and may cause reflux due to the pressure inside the abdomen. If you also have diabetes and overeating issues and live a sedentary lifestyle, you are at a higher risk for sour burps.
Pregnant women can also experience acid reflux due to abdominal pressure.
4. Pregnancy
Let’s understand how abdominal pressure causes sour burps in pregnancy. The stomach receives excessive pressure as the uterus expands. Also, the hormones released during this time can affect the functioning of the LES muscle, causing frequent acid reflux episodes. Pregnancy stimulates this condition as a result of overeating, air swallowing, anemia, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
5. Smoking
The harmful chemicals in tobacco products, including nicotine, stimulate acid reflux due to air swallowing and increased stomach acid. The LES can become weak and sour burps are a common result.
6. Digestive Disorders
Pre-existing health conditions directly affecting your digestive system may cause an increase in stomach acid production, harm the LES muscle, and delay stomach emptying. All of these factors can lead to sour burps. It occurs in those with gastroparesis, pyloric stenosis, hiatal hernia, and intestinal motility disorders.
How to Get Rid of Sour Burps
The same medical treatments offered for GERD can be helpful to treat a sour burp condition. Most of these treatments are temporary and do not treat the underlying problem. These may include antacids to reduce the effects of stomach acid, as well as prevent excess acid production.
Other acid-suppressing products include H2-anatagonists, proton pump inhibitors, prokinetic drugs, and anti-foaming agents.
Home Remedies for Sour Burps
We want to concentrate on natural home remedies that you can easily use in the comfort of your home. Ways to prevent sour burps may include eating a healthy diet and limiting or avoiding caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and dairy products. It is also recommended to avoid greasy and spicy foods.
To get immediate relief from sour burps, we have collected several remedies using simple ingredients found in your kitchen.
1. Soda Water
This remedy works as an antacid. Simply add lemon and black salt to a glass of soda water to get rid of sour burps and excess gas.
2. Rice Water
Don’t throw out that rice water and drink it instead. It can form a protective coating in your stomach and target any pain. Add extra water to a pot of rice while cooking, and drink it once completed.
3. Potato Juice
Alleviate sour burps and pain from acid reflux by drinking the juice from ground potatoes. Just add water, one teaspoon of lemon juice, and one teaspoon of honey to potato juice, and drink it on an empty stomach.
4. Carrot Juice
By drinking a glass of carrot juice and water in equal amounts daily for one week, you can eliminate excess stomach acid and get rid of sour burps.
5. Lemon
Use lemon juice alone or with warm water and a drop of honey for taste to eliminate sour burps.
6. Ginger
Reduce stomach acid overproduction and target sour burps with fresh ginger. Chew a small piece of ginger or make a ginger tea with grated fresh ginger root. You can also add cinnamon to the tea.
7. Milk
Dairy products may stimulate the production of stomach acid in many people. However, in others, drinking a glass of warm milk can coat the stomach and protect it from acid.
8. Carom Seeds
Stop sour burps within minutes with crushed carom seeds. You can also add salt to partially crushed carom seeds for taste.
9. Angelica Root
This herb has been used for centuries to combat digestion problems. Have one cup of angelica root tea each day.
10. Fennel Seeds
Consuming fennel seeds is a common digestive remedy that is best used after a meal. Have fennel seed tea with honey or simply chew fennel seeds to eliminate sour burps.
11. Asafoetida
Asafoetida is known as a beneficial spice for health. Adding it to a glass of milk can help with stomach acid and sour burps.
12. Baking Soda
Combining baking soda and warm water can offer instant relief for sour burps and stomach gas.
13. Apple Cider Vinegar
Despite the taste of apple cider vinegar, it is a powerful remedy to get rid of the sour burps. Simply add some to warm water and drink.
14. Green Tea
Drink green tea daily to treat many conditions, including controlling stomach acid.
15. Mint Leaves
Settle your stomach and get rid of sour burps and their aftertaste with fresh mint leaves. Combine with lime juice and ginger.
16. Charred Toast
With sour burps and acid reflux, you have to be careful about what you eat. Having charred toast is one food you will want to eat, as it neutralizes the acid and removes toxins.
Sour burps can leave a bitter and terrible aftertaste in your mouth long after the experience. Most cases are the result of acid reflux problems stimulated by the consumption of certain foods or drinks, and sometimes by existing health conditions.
Sour burps can accompany other symptoms brought on by an excess of stomach acid, such as indigestion and nausea. While there are many products on the market to relieve the effects, you may be able to ease acid production and stop sour burps with natural home remedies.
Related Articles:
What Causes Excessive Burping?
Sour Stomach: Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies
How to Manage Excessive Burps and Belches
Sources:
“What Causes Sour Burps│Treatment & Home Remedies to Get Rid of Sour Burps,” ePain Assist, January 30, 2017; https://www.epainassist.com/articles/what-causes-sour-burps, last accessed July 5, 2017.
“Sour Burps: Why It Happens and How to Relieve It,” EnkiVeryWell; https://www.enkiverywell.com/sour-burps.html, last accessed July 5, 2017.