Question

How does bicarbonate (HCO3−) help alleviate heartburn symptoms? A. Bicarbonate solution dilutes the excess stomach acid. B. It has a soothing effect on acid-damaged tissues. C. It reacts with excess stomach acid and neutralizes it. D. It creates an antacid.

Answer 1

The correct option is c) it reacts with excess stomach acid and neutralizes it.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bicarbonate (HCO3-) , which is also know as sodium bicarbonate is nothing but a type of salt which includes both sodium and bicarbonate ions. Doctors recommend this in case of heartburn, as this is a very common remedy available to everyone in any pharmacy . This sodium bicarbonate consists of what we call an alkaline pH , which helps in giving relief from excess stomach acid, but it is important to remember that this is a temporary solution for the problem of stomach acid.