Burping (also known as belching) is the act of expelling air from the stomach through the mouth. It happens when the stomach is bloated or expanded because too much air is swallowed and the air is released through burping.

A bitter or bad taste in the mouth while burping can be a normal reaction to eating pungent or sour foods. But, when this taste lasts for long or happens unexpectedly, it can be a cause for concern. One of the most common causes of burping can be acid reflux.

Acid reflux is a condition in which the acid from your stomach flows back up your esophagus (food pipe) toward your mouth. Frequent episodes of acid reflux may be a sign of a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus.

Can acid reflux cause a bitter taste in the mouth while burping? Are acid reflux and burping inter-related? Let us find out. 

Reason For Bitter Taste in The Mouth While Burping

Your stomach retains food for about 4 hours so that food can be churned and mixed with bile. Bile is made in the liver and sent towards the stomach by tiny pipes called bile ducts. It is bitter in taste.

One end of the stomach sends softened food towards the small intestine where the essential nutrients are taken up by blood and the waste goes forward towards the large intestine. There are two sphincters (muscles) that keep the contents of the stomach contained. These muscles can become weak with age or due to erratic food habits.

When the sphincter on the upper end of the stomach is not working well, it throws acid or bile towards the mouth via the esophagus (food pipe) near your respiratory pipe. The acid and bile come in contact with delicate tissues of the mouth (called mucosa) causing ulcers and giving a bitter taste in the mouth. 

How To Prevent a Bitter Taste in The Mouth?

Preventing a bitter taste in the mouth will involve treating the underlying cause, in this case, acid reflux. The key to reducing acid reflux is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and change your dietary habits. You can achieve it by:

  • Slowing down while you are eating and drinking.

  • Chewing your food properly and not talking while eating.

  • Eating smaller meals.

  • Eating less spicy and oily foods.

  • Eating at least two hours before you go to sleep.

  • Drinking a glass of warm water after the last meal of the day. 

  • Avoiding smoking.

  • Limiting alcohol consumption. 

  • Drinking warm fluids like green tea, clear soups, lemon water, or just plain ORS (oral rehydration solution) in a liter of water.

  • Eating light food that does not have to stay for long in the stomach to be digested.

If the bitter taste in your mouth persists, or if your burping is accompanied by other symptoms, consult your doctor to diagnose if some other health condition is associated with it.

 

Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.