Why Do I Burp So Much?

What brought me to specialize in naturopathic gastroenterology is my own struggle with constant bloating and belching since I was in elementary school. I remember that I hated breakfast, because I was always bloated after eating it. My gas and bloating intensified in my twenties, and my belching started around that time. My burping was quite excessive. I could burp up to 50 times within a minute. It could happen right after a meal or hours after meals. I was embarrassed and frustrated. I never really understood the reasons behind my bloating and belching until I went through my training as a naturopathic doctor and practiced as one in the last 10 years.  

Why do we belch?

Belching is our body’s way of expelling excess air from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.  When there is excessive gas in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum, the body releases it upward through the mouth—the path of least resistance.  

Why is there excessive gas?

Gas can come from two sources. One is you ingesting air. Carbonated beverages are a common example, but the most common source is the result of fermentation from the microbes, whether bacteria or yeast. If you have an overgrowth of these microbes, you literally have a gas generating factory.  There is a study that shows that people with overgrown bacteria in the small intestine can ferment foods 60 times faster than someone who doesn’t.  

Sometimes it’s not the overgrowth, it’s simply you leaving too much food for the microbes. 

I have had SIBO most of my life, but my biggest problem is that I am a fast eater.  I simply don’t chew my foods well. When the foods start getting close to the back of my tongue, I have the urge to swallow. These big chunks of food are a tremendous burden on your digestive system. If you also lack stomach acid, digestive enzymes or bile salts for proper digestion, your microbes will then have a feast. I used to watch TV shows while I eat, because eating is kinda boring, isn’t it?  As part of the mindful eating practice, I set a 7 minute timer. During these 7 minutes, I’m committed to chewing my foods thoroughly and mindfully.  This simple practice has reduced my belching by at least 50%.  

Belching is part of the reflux

Some don’t have excessive gas, but they still belch all the time, because they actually have a reflux. 

People think of reflux as acid reflux or heartburn, but it can take many forms. Reflux is the result of something from the stomach going back up to the esophagus. When your foods go back up, it’s called food regurgitation. When you have acid going back up, you experience heartburn or a sore throat.  When you have gas going back up, that’s belching or hiccuping. 

Under normal circumstances, when there is food in the stomach, the sphincter between your esophagus and stomach is shut, but when you have low stomach acid, when there is too much pressure built up in the stomach or when you have undigested foods sitting too long in the stomach, the sphincter becomes loose.  

My poor chewing has caused reflux over the years. I’ve never had the typical heartburn. I started with excessive burping, then a sore throat in the mornings, finally food regurgitation and a mildly sore stomach.  After I followed my own anti-acid protocol for some time, my belching improved significantly.  

Our GI tract is a delicate organ. It often takes years for symptoms to develop, and it can also take years to reverse them and rebuild your health. At Naturopathic Family Health, our providers can guide you through this journey.  We’d be honored to be part of your care team.  

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Dr. Sherry Su, ND, FABNG
Naturopathic Doctor San Jose
408-356-1364

Dr. Sherry Su is a licensed naturopathic doctor specializing in gastrointestinal disorders, women’s health, thyroid and adrenal imbalances, and anxiety. She earned her degree from Bastyr University and holds the prestigious FABNG certification for advanced expertise in evidence-based naturopathic gastrointestinal care. With a compassionate, integrative approach, Dr. Su uses minimally invasive therapies to help patients reclaim their health and well-being. She is passionate about empowering patients with sustainable lifestyle changes and personalized care.

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