Lactic Acid in Tibico and how does it help your acid gradient and reflux?

Looking at our Trustpilot reviews and the hundreds of messages we receive, I though it would help to include some facts explaining a little about how Tibico Water Kefirs helps with stomach acidity and acid gradient in the gastro intestinal tract (GI Tract).

The Tibico process is unique and strictly anaerobic (without air). The dominant species are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

The resulting acid production in Tibico is lactic acid, which gives the drink its sharp and acidic taste. This is however balanced by the whole fruit secondary fermentation giving Tibico its fruit taste but bringing many other health benefits.

FERMENTED LACTIC ACID

Tibico has a beneficial role in gut health and acid reflux through its effects on microbiota and pH balance.

Lactic acid plays a complex and sometimes beneficial role in gut health and acid reflux through its effects on microbiota and pH balance, although it is not a direct treatment for acid reflux.

Here's how it works in both contexts:

🧪 Lactic Acid in Fermentation

Lactic acid is produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium during fermentation. It helps preserve food and contributes to gut health.

🧠 Role in Gut and Acid Gradient

Creates a Favorable Gut pH Gradient:

1. The gut has a pH gradient: more acidic in the stomach (pH 1.5–3.5), more neutral in the small intestine (pH ~6–7), and slightly acidic in the colon (pH ~5.5–7) where 90% of our microbiome lives.

2. The lactic acid in Tibico helps maintain or slightly lower the pH in the colon, creating a more acidic environment that:

   • Inhibits pathogenic bacteria (which prefer neutral/alkaline pH)

   • Supports beneficial microbes

3. With people who have been prescribed long term protein pump inhibitors (PPI's) and antacids, the acid gradient is badly affected into the small intestine from the stomach. This can lead to small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) where the bacteria from the large intestine (colon) migrate up into the small intestine (from the other end) due to the alkalinity created from antacids.... in essence, the small intestine becomes an extension of the large intestine. This factor has helped thousands or Tibico customers.

Promotes Gut Barrier Function:

1. Lactic acid promotes mucin production and improving the gut lining’s integrity, helping to prevent leaky gut.

2. Remember... your gut wall is the size of a tennis court (c250 m sq) and one cell thin, so its easy to be compromised if your have a poor diet deficient in fibre.

3. Leaky gut affects over 70% of the population at some time and the major reason for endotoxins travelling through the leak into the blood stream. This is known to be the route cause of inflammation, bloating, depression, lack of energy, swollen joints, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and weak immunity.

Supports SCFA Production:

1. Lactic acid is also metabolised into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate by other gut microbes, which are crucial for colon (large intestine) health, maintaining the health of the gut wall and helping maintain and repair leaky gut.

   
   

   

   
   

🔥 Lactic Acid & Acid Reflux

Lactic acid itself doesn’t neutralize stomach acid, but the lactic acid bacteria in Tibico help in managing reflux symptoms by:

Modulating Microbiota:

1. LAB balance gut flora and reduce gas and bloating, which are triggers for reflux.

2. The LAB also outcompete H. pylori, a bacterium linked to acid overproduction and ulcers.

Improving Gastric Emptying:

1. Tibico's probiotic strains help food move through the stomach more efficiently, reducing the pressure that causes acid reflux.

Strengthening LES Function:

1. Improving gut microbiota balance can support the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone, reducing reflux episodes.