SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, and it's a tough one to overcome.

SIBO happens when there is a significant imbalance of "bad" bacteria populating the small intestine, but because diagnosis and treatment of this condition is so relatively new, it can be a tough condition to understand and a tough one to resolve.

There is pretty strong consensus around the idea that SIBO is a symptom, not a root cause. Most mainstream treatments for SIBO include powerful protocols of herbal capsules and stronger protocols of pharmaceutical antibiotics. 

Because SIBO afflicts the loops of the small intestine, other structures of the digestive system are often overlooked for their role in the development of SIBO. But this is a mistake. There is one critical piece of the digestive machine that is often key to calming bacterial overgrowth, and that is STOMACH ACID.

So, you can begin to see how a poor acid environment in the stomach can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria further along down the digestive tract.

Ok, so the first step in digestion technically happens in the mouth, where food gets chewed up and mixed with amylase and other enzymes to break down some starches, but after that comes the stomach, arguably the first MAJOR stop in the digestive tract.

The stomach is meant to be a highly acidic environment, with a pH anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5. Having robust stomach acid secretion is critical to breaking down food (protein in particular), and absorbing nutrients. Key to the SIBO topic, it is also highly critical because it acts as the first line of defense against harmful bacteria and other pathogens like fungus and parasites. There is a reason our bodies evolved to have this highly specialized, highly protected pouch with high levels of acid at the beginning of the digestive train. 

Low stomach acid can be a root cause of SIBO.

The stomach is primarily responsible for digesting protein, so a meal rich in protein will cause a stronger stomach acid production response.

Here's how this works:

Protein hits the stomach and signals the release of a hormone called 'Gastrin'. Gastrin then communicates with the cells of the stomach that are responsible for producing acid. So the more protein, the stronger the signal that produces Gastrin, the more acid that is produced. 

But there's another pathway our bodies use to cue our digestive juices, and that is FLAVOR.

Things like the sight, smell, or even the thought of food can get your digestive juices going. That's what’s happening when your belly gurgles as you're chopping up onions, dropping them into a pan of hot olive oil, and throwing in some fresh-chopped rosemary. Your mouth waters, and your brain begins to send signals to your stomach to "get ready" for incoming food.

How Bitters Bumps Up Stomach Acid

Bitter flavors have been used for centuries by our ancestors to aid in our digestion. The bitter flavor profile is found in many foods. You can taste a bitter flavor in leafy greens, ginger, cocoa, beer, citrus, and many other foods, and our bodies have evolved to respond to this particular flavor.

Bitter Receptors on the tongue are how we experience the flavor of bitter. These receptors, called TAS2R receptors are clustered toward the back of your tongue. Next time you sip wine, coffee, or Casc Tonics Daily Bitter, notice where you taste the flavor (it should be toward the back of your tongue!).

Bitter flavors are becoming increasingly hard to come by in the modern American diet.

We have an abundance of sweet and savory, but the typical American is sometimes even going out of her way to avoid bitterness.

When was the last time you had dandelion greens or bitter melon?

Do you push those bitter red radicchio leaves to the side of your salad?

Some of us are only getting our bitters through coffee and wine, but we could all stand to include a bit more bitter alongside every meal. 

The body is wise. Flavors aren't only for gustatory pleasure- they have physiological effects!

Our Mission

At Casc Tonics, we believe in the power of ancient tradition and simple solutions to the gut issues of our time. Our Daily Bitter can be dropped right onto your tongue or into your water before a meal to get all the benefits of strong stomach acid and digestive motility. Try incorporating our bitters into your daily routine and experience the difference they can make for your gut health.

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