If we have stomach acid, how come if we eat something that may have some type of bacteria on it. Our stomach acid doesn’t kill it all before we get infected?
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I can’t answer that fully, but I’ll do my best.
Your mouth and mucus membranes may be one entry-point for some bacteria.
Also:
Bacteria may have left excretions on the food (e.g. more or less toxic substances), that may be responsible for the stomach-reaction (or even death .. depending on the bacteria).
I don’t know, if I’m missing something (I’m not a doctor/professional), but that’s my 5 cents.
Immunologist here!
There’s dozens of factors, from your health to your immune system, but..
Basically, when your stomach fills with food and drinks, the PH of stomach acid changes. It becomes diluted. Most bacteria that give us food poisoning, like Ecoli, Listaria, and Salmonella, have hardened shells that protect them from environmental factors, its why they can live on counter tops and your hands for an extended period of time. Stomach acid isn’t meant to break everything down, you wouldn’t be able to get any nutrients from your food if its all destroyed in strong hydrochloric acid. There has to be a way for organic material to make it to the intestines, where nutrients are absorbed. Bacteria take advantage of that
TL;DR The more you eat, the less acid in your stomach, the longer bacteria can survive to multiply
your stomach acid isn’t very strong for one thing, just sorta helps prepare and neutralize before enzymes and intestines go to work.
Second if you don’t chew small enough pieces you literally pass whole chunks like corn through without so much as discoloration you acid does really nothing to any fiberous foods or even large bites you swallow barely get affected or touched by any acid.
Also many virus and pathogens have shells and protein coatings that can survive easy anyway
No ones mentioned yet but certain bacteria are adapted to the acid level your stomach is at.
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