Glutamic Acid and Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is an uncomfortable process in which acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus, resulting in a feeling of tightness across the chest or heartburn. Because some components of food contain the word "acid" in their name -- like glutamic acid, which is a component of protein -- it's common to wonder whether these food components can contribute to acid reflux.

Acid Reflux

Your stomach cells produce a strong acid called hydrochloric acid, or HCl. Hydrochloric acid has many applications outside the body, including helping to kill microbes in pool water; it's quite caustic. Your stomach lining is tough and protected from acid damage, but most biological tissues -- including the lining of the esophagus -- quickly sustain damage if exposed to HCl. If acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, the result is pain and heartburn.

Causes of Acid Reflux

There are many causes of acid reflux. Your stomach cells can overproduce acid, which increases the likelihood that caustic stomach juices will back up in to the esophagus. Alternately, you may have a weak esophageal sphincter. This ring of muscle helps seal the stomach and prevent reflux into the esophagus. In some cases -- often in pregnancy, for instance -- the ring weakens and allows reflux, explain Drs. Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz in their book "You: Having A Baby." Finally, very spicy and greasy foods sometimes increase acid reflux.

Glutamic Acid

Even though glutamic acid has the word "acid" in its name, it's not actually acidic when you consume it as a part of food. Glutamic acid is an amino acid, explain Drs. Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham in their book "Biochemistry," where the amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. At near-neutral acidity levels, such as in your food and in your body, glutamic acid exists as a closely related form of the chemical called "glutamate," which isn't acidic at all.

Glutamic Acid and Acid Reflux

Since glutamic acid in food -- and therefore glutamic acid in the stomach -- isn't acidic, it can't contribute to acid reflux. You can consume foods that contain protein without worrying that glutamic acid in the protein will worsen your acid reflux. Furthermore, glutamate from non-protein sources in food -- such as the glutamate that makes up a part of MSG, which is a popular flavoring agent in Chinese food -- isn't acidic, and can't cause acid reflux.

Prevention/Solution

If you struggle with acid reflux, you may need to avoid certain foods -- though again, avoiding glutamic acid-containing foods won't make any difference. The best foods to avoid are those that are highly spiced or greasy, since these often exacerbate symptoms. Further, you can try an over-the-counter antacid to relieve discomfort. Baking soda is a weak base, and neutralizes stomach acid, so it also works as an at-home antacid treatment.

References

• "Biochemistry"; Reginald Garrett, Ph.D. and Charles Grisham, Ph.D.; 2007
• "You: Having A Baby"; Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.; 2009