Comparing the effectiveness of non-synthetic remedies to commercially produced antacids in combating acid reflux

Abstract

Acid reflux is a result of the backflow of digestive acid into the esophagus, causing discomfort and sensations of heartburn (Badillo & Francis, 2014; Schneider et al., 2010). Antacids offer temporary relief from the pain caused by acid reflux. While commercially produced antacids have been in production since the early twentieth century, concerns about their production and potential side effects have led to the widespread use of home remedies made from varying non-synthetic materials (Bierer, 1990). In this study, the  ffectiveness of seven different non-synthetic materials in increasing the pH of white vinegar, which simulated stomach acid, was tested. The effectiveness of the home remedies was compared to that of commercially produced antacids. The results were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test and gave a p-value of 0.0068, therefore rejecting the null hypothesis. A post-hoc Tukey’s multiple comparison test was performed to determine where the significant differences were found in our results. Altogether, these results indicated that commercially produced antacids, specifically TUMS®, are more effective at neutralizing acid. Our findings provide a statistical perspective on the comparison between commercially produced medicine and home remedies for acid reflux, informing consumer decisions regarding the use of non-traditional medicine