Stomach Acid: Your First Defense Against Food Poisoning
How Does Stomach Acid Protect You From Food Poisoning?
Gastric acid serves as a crucial first-line defense against foodborne pathogens by creating an extremely acidic environment (pH 1-2) that kills most bacteria, viruses, and parasites before they can reach the intestines and cause disease. However, some pathogenic bacteria have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to survive acid conditions, including acid resistance systems, protective biofilms, and rapid transit strategies that allow them to cause foodborne illness despite this natural barrier.