Stomach acid is composed of two components -- pepsin and hydrochloric acid. Pepsin is an enzyme for the digestion of protein and hydrochloric acid is a very strong, and powerful acid. If you were to set a fork in a cup of gastric acid, or stomach acid, the fork would dissolve. To prevent stomach acid from dissolving through the walls of the stomach itself, the body has evolved to include some potent mechanisms to safeguard its integrity.
Gastric Secretion and Hydrocholric Acid
A number of mechanisms come in to play in gastric acid secretion in your stomach. When food or liquid enter your stomach, nerves, hormones, mechanical and chemical mechanisms all start to react, according to a 2010 review in the journal "Current Opinion in Gastroenterology." A group of gastric cells, called parietal cells, secrete hydrochloric acid. This potent lot of juices and acid dissolve your stomach's contents to be sent further down the line through your small bowel for absorption and to your large bowel, or colon, for disposal.
Gastrointestinal Shield
Much like the heat shield on a space shuttle, the stomach has a protective covering of epithelial cells to protect it from the powerful corrosive potential of hydrochloric acid. Your stomach's lining replaces itself every minute with over 500,000 epithelial cells. This shield is known as the gastrointestinal barrier and protects your body from not only hydrochloric acid, but also from toxins and potentially harmful microorganisms, while still allowing nutrients to pass.
Ulcers
Hydrochloric acid is very caustic and can eat its way through food and tissue in a matter of hours. If the epithelial cells of the stomach's lining become breached, due to gastric over-secretion, disease, toxins or trauma, the acid may dissolve the stomach tissues causing ulcerations. Some ulcers, such as peptic ulcers may cause little discomfort and be easily relieved by antacids. Others may be more serious and involve bacterial involvement, needing medical intervention.
Hearburn
Heartburn may be caused by reflux of gastric juices into the esophagus. At the juncture between the stomach and esophagus, is a sphincter which keeps the contents of the stomach from rising back into the esophagus and up the throat. If something eaten, such as spicy foods, "disagree" with you, it may affect the sphincter, making it less effective and allowing gastric juices containing hydrochloric acid, up into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation you know as heartburn.
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