Ask a doctor - Why do we belch?

Q. Why do we belch?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Belching - also known as burping and eructation - is the act of expelling gas from the stomach through the mouth. This process typically occurs when there's an excess of swallowed air in your digestive system, resulting in a buildup of pressure. When this happens, your body needs to release this pressure to prevent discomfort and nausea.

The most common cause of belching is eating too quickly, as people tend to swallow more air than usual while they’re eating quickly. Other causes can include drinking carbonated beverages, chewing gum or drinking through a straw, smoking cigarettes or cigars, drinking alcohol and certain foods like cabbage which contain sulfur compounds that produce gas during digestion. Additionally some medical conditions such as gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also cause frequent belching due to their effects on how food passes through the digestive system.

When you belch it’s usually nothing to worry about - it simply means that you have swallowed too much air or ate something that produces gas during digestion. But if it’s persistent or accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain then you should see your doctor for advice.