Burping a Lot? These Could Be the Reasons Why

Ever let out a surprise burp and wonder: Wow! Where did that come from?

Burping — or belching, if you prefer the more clinical term — is your body’s way of getting rid of extra gas. An occasional belch is completely normal, too. It happens to all of us from time to time.

But if burping is a regular part of your daily soundtrack, you’re probably wondering why. We asked gastroenterologist Alison Schneider, MD, to explain what might be behind all that burping and how to tone it down.

What causes excessive burping?

It’s natural for some gas to build up in your belly after a meal. It’s a byproduct of digestion and swallowing air while eating and drinking. Dr. Schneider says burping up to four times after a meal is normal.

If you’re belching far more than that, the following reasons may explain why.

Eating or drinking too quickly

You naturally swallow some air whenever you eat or drink. But if you gulp down the food that’s on your plate, you’ll probably inhale a lot of extra air with it. The same holds true if you chug a drink.

Since air that goes down often comes back up, that can lead to more burping, explains Dr. Schneider.

Drinking carbonated beverages

The bubbles in soda, sparkling water and beer are made of gas, so it makes sense that fizzy drinks can make you burp. When you drink them, that gas builds up in your stomach. Eventually, your body releases it as a burp.

“Carbonated beverages are one of the most common reasons people burp,” says Dr. Schneider.

Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy

Repeatedly chewing and chomping on gum can make you ingest extra air and prime the pump for steady burping, says Dr. Schneider. Sucking on hard candies can bring similar results.

Drinking through a straw

A straw can be a convenient and fun way to sip drinks, but it can also pipe extra air into your digestive tract to bring on belching. Blame the negative pressure created in your mouth that pulls in more air.

Smoking

Puffing on a cigarette can also increase the amount of air you swallow, which can bring on more belching. Of course, a little burping is far from the biggest health concern associated with smoking or vaping.

If you smoke, talk with a healthcare provider about resources that can help you quit.

Eating certain foods

Sometimes, what’s on your plate can contribute to extra gas and more burping. While personal triggers may differ, Dr. Schneider says some common foods associated with excess gas and belching include:

• Beans
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Dairy products

Stress and anxiety

When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, you may swallow more air than usual without realizing it, especially if you’re breathing quickly, sighing often or talking fast. That extra air can build up in your stomach and come back up as a burp.

Stress can also make digestive symptoms feel more noticeable, which may make burping seem worse.

Digestive conditions

Burping can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying digestive condition. Acid reflux, for example, happens when stomach acid flows backward into your esophagus. Burping or belching can occur along with heartburn.

Other conditions associated with excessive burping include:

• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Gastritis (inflammation of your stomach lining)
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Stomach ulcers

How to stop burping so much

Want to put a lid on all that belching? Start by paying attention to habits tied to eating and drinking. Dr. Schneider recommends:

• Eating and drinking more slowly
• Cutting back on carbonated drinks
• Avoiding chewing gum and sucking on hard candy
• Skipping straws
• Avoiding foods that seem to trigger your symptoms
• Quitting smoking
• Engaging in light movement (like taking a walk) after eating to ease digestion and reduce the buildup of stomach gas

And if you’re burping frequently and regularly experiencing other digestive issues, don’t just wave it off, advises Dr. Schneider. Talk with a healthcare provider about your symptoms.

“If burping or belching too much is interfering with your daily life or if pain or other symptoms accompany this symptom, this may indicate an underlying illness requiring treatment,” she says.