Question

What is the effect of taking an antacid on a person's ability to digest proteins?

Answer 1

Answer: It will not help in the digestion of protein.

Step-by-step explanation:

Stomach releases hydrochloric acid due to which the pH of stomach is acidic (1.5-3.5) Antacid are used for the treatment of acidity by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach.

In stomach proteins are digested with the help of pepsin enzyme that works at very low pH. Activity of pepsin decreases at high pH due to its denaturation

Hence, when a person takes an antacid,it will increase the pH of the stomach and pepsin will not work at this pH which will lead to improper digestion of proteins.

Answer 2

The effect of taking an antacid on a person's ability to digest proteins is that it would be difficult to digest proteins because of the inactivity of the peptides. In the stomach, both the stomach acids and pepsin are necessary to digest proteins. Without both, it would be impossible. That's why it is very common among antacid users to report feelings of indigestion and constipation.