The typical concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in stomach acid, or gastric juice, is approximately 8.0 x 10-2 M. This means that for every liter of stomach acid, there are 0.08 moles of hydrochloric acid present. Hydrochloric acid plays a crucial role in digestion, aiding in the breakdown of food and providing an acidic environment for digestive enzymes to work effectively.
An individual may experience symptoms related to acid stomach, or acid reflux, when the concentration of HCl reaches about 1.0 x 10-1 M. At this concentration, the acidic environment may irritate the stomach lining or esophagus, leading to discomfort.
To alleviate symptoms associated with too much stomach acid, many people turn to antacids. For example, one antacid tablet contains 334 mg of the active ingredient, which is designed to neutralize excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The effectiveness of an antacid depends on its composition and how it interacts with the acidity in the stomach.