What Causes Burping? Top Reasons and Easy Remedies

What causes burping, and why do some people experience it more frequently than others? 

Burping and belching are the body’s natural ways of releasing excess air or intestinal gas trapped in the stomach. Although almost everyone burps, frequent belching may indicate an underlying health issue.

Learn about common digestive issues linked to burping and explore three simple natural remedies to help alleviate belching and promote a healthier digestive system.

What is burping?

Burping happens when air or excess gas in the stomach travels up the esophagus and is released through the mouth.

In many cases, burping results from swallowing air while talking, eating too quickly, or drinking carbonated beverages. 

Activities such as chewing gum, sipping liquids through a straw, or chatting during a meal can also cause you to take in small pockets of air that contribute to burping.

While burping can be silent, it often creates a characteristic sound ranging from a quiet puff to a loud, explosive noise.

Watch the video below to discover the most common causes of excessive burping.

What causes burping? 

Understanding the causes of burping and the factors that may contribute to it is essential for alleviating belching and maintaining optimal digestive health.

Common causes of burping include:

• Swallowing air
• Chewing gum
• Sucking on hard candies
• Drinking carbonated drinks
• Eating or drinking too quickly
• Smoking
• Drinking through a straw
• Wearing loose-fitting dentures

Although most people burp a handful of times daily, frequent or excessive burping may indicate digestive problems or lifestyle factors that need adjustment.

Diet plays a crucial role in digestive health, as certain foods are more likely to cause gas and bloating than others. 

For instance, foods high in fermentable carbohydrates, known as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs), can be difficult to digest for some sensitive individuals. 

When these foods aren’t fully broken down and absorbed in the small intestine, they undergo bacterial fermentation, which releases gas and can contribute to bloating and belching. 

Examples of high-FODMAP foods include:

• Apples
• Onions
• Garlic
• Certain cruciferous vegetables
• Beans and lentils
• Wheat and rye
• Dairy products

Some people may also be sensitive to histamine-rich foods, such as cured meats, cheeses, and spicy foods, which can irritate the stomach lining and potentially lead to digestive discomfort and gas buildup.

In addition, efficient digestion depends on optimal digestive fluids, effective enzyme activity, a balanced gut flora, and proper muscle contractions that help move food through the digestive tract. 

When any of these components are imbalanced, undigested food can linger in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to excessive burping, bloating, and discomfort.

What is considered excessive burping?

Occasional burping is normal, especially after eating or drinking carbonated beverages. However, excessive burping may indicate health issues that require attention.

When belching disrupts normal activities, is persistent throughout the day, or is accompanied by other digestive symptoms, it may signal an underlying gastrointestinal disorder, such as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

If you are burping dozens of times a day without recent food intake, experience abdominal pain after meals, or notice a sour taste after a burp, it’s important to seek medical advice to rule out more serious conditions and receive appropriate treatment.

The best remedies for excessive burping

According to guidelines published by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), effective digestion relies on balanced digestive fluids, a healthy gut microbiome, and optimal enzyme activity. 

Supporting these vital systems may help relieve uncomfortable symptoms such as belching, abdominal gas, and bloating. 

Here are three natural ways to help alleviate intestinal gas and excessive burping.

1. Promote an acidic stomach 

Maintaining optimal stomach acidity is crucial for nutrient absorption, protein breakdown, and protecting the body from invading pathogens that may be ingested with food.

If the stomach’s pH level becomes too alkaline, it can significantly hinder the digestive process. This may result in undigested food sitting in the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to fermentation, gas production, and burping. 

To support stomach acidity, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water and consume it before meals. This can help lower stomach pH, thereby promoting efficient digestive processes.

You can also take supplements such as betaine hydrochloride (HCI), which have been shown to help keep stomach acid in the ideal pH range of 1.5 to 3.5.

2. Support bile flow

Bile is a critical digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It plays a key role in breaking down dietary fats and facilitating the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.

According to research published in Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, bile acids are essential for fat digestion, help regulate intestinal motility, and maintain fluid balance, all of which are vital for optimal digestive health.

When bile becomes too thick or doesn’t flow properly, it can form bile sludge, potentially blocking bile ducts and disrupting digestion. This can lead to digestive symptoms such as belching, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.

To naturally support healthy bile flow, incorporate plenty of bile-promoting plants and herbs such as dandelion greens, radicchio, milk thistle, and arugula into your routine. 

In addition, taking a tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) supplement can help thin bile and dissolve bile sludge, which may be beneficial for relieving burping related to poor bile flow.  

“TUDCA reduces bile duct congestion, preventing bile from backing up into the liver, which can cause pain and inflammation,” explains Dr. Berg. “Improving bile flow can significantly help improve digestion and alleviate symptoms such as indigestion, belching, and bloating.”

3. Optimize digestive enzyme levels

Digestive enzymes, such as protease, amylase, and lipase, are essential for breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. 

Enzyme deficiencies can arise from factors such as aging, chronic stress, low stomach acid, insufficient bile flow, poor dietary habits, or underlying health conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency. 

These deficiencies impair digestion, causing undigested food to remain in the small intestine, which may lead to gas, bloating, and, subsequently, burping and belching. 

To naturally enhance digestive enzyme levels, incorporate raw or steamed, non-starchy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and broccoli into your diet. Fresh, minimally cooked foods retain natural enzymes that promote digestion and may help reduce burping. 

Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi also provide beneficial bacteria and digestive enzymes linked to digestive health.

Beyond dietary changes, you may consider taking digestive enzyme and acidifier supplements, such as betaine HCl with pepsin, to support enzyme activity and improve stomach acidity for better nutrient breakdown.

When to talk to your doctor

It’s normal to burp occasionally, especially after consuming certain foods or carbonated drinks. 

However, you should seek medical care if belching becomes persistent, disruptive, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chest discomfort
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
• Persistent diarrhea
• Significant bloating
• Heartburn
• Chronic acid reflux
• Bloody stools
• Changes in the color or frequency of stools

Frequent burping can be linked to various health conditions, including advanced GERD, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

A healthcare provider can perform tests to diagnose specific conditions or detect underlying issues such as bacterial overgrowth and Helicobacter pylori infection, which can trigger persistent burping. 

Key takeaways

Many people struggle with digestive discomfort and wonder what causes burping. 

While burping can result from eating too quickly, drinking carbonated beverages, or simply swallowing air, excessive burping may indicate an imbalance in key digestive functions.

Proper nutrition and lifestyle changes can help reduce burping and improve digestive health by addressing the root causes of excessive belching, including low stomach acidity, inadequate bile flow, or insufficient digestive enzymes.

FAQ

Sources

1. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8782647/