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Chemistry

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  • $\begingroup$ One factor could be that betaine has a pKa of 1.8, considerably higher than HCl and somewhat close to stomach pH. Pure HCl could have a pH of 0 or lower. Betaine is also a biocompatible osmolyte. $\endgroup$
    – Curt F.
    Commented Mar 27, 2017 at 3:54
  • $\begingroup$ I had trouble with food not digesting whenever I ate specific foods. Now, I pop a tablet or two of betaine HCl and the problem is over. Before this Zantac 75 was the only thing that stopped me from puking. And believe me, I tried all of the products. Anyway, betaine HCl actually does work if somebody has indigestion. I don't know about all that other stuff quoted. Most of the stuff you hear is nonsense anyway. Anyway. That's my two cents. $\endgroup$
    – Joseph
    Commented Apr 25, 2020 at 23:56
  • $\begingroup$ It's often formulated with additional pepsin (and possibly other enzymes too). That could be what's helping you, especially in the quantities (ie milligrams) of betaine-HCl you'd have to take! $\endgroup$
    – ManRow
    Commented Apr 27, 2020 at 0:09