When we eat food how powerful is the acid in our stomach, is it powerful enough to kill a life? For example, if someone ate goldfish or shrimp alive. How does it work, do the acid kill them immediately or they die slowly.
In: Biology
It’s quite dilute but aids in digestion of food and control of harmful bacteria.
Parietal cells (Proton pumps) activate pepsin. Pepsin is used to digest proteins and if you have heartburn, regular oesophageal exposure to pepsin can cause Barrett’s oesophagus (esophagus -US). This change in the cells can lead to oesophageal cancer. Cell membranes have cell proteins and so pepsin can damage them.
Proton pump inhibitors (H2 receptor antagonists) are sometimes used to reduce the activation of pepsin. A better way to protect would be to use an ARFOS (alginate rafting forming oral suspension) that can coat and protect. Gaviscon is a popular choice in the U.K. to prevent or reduce heartburn. Others are available.
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