How To Make Yourself Burp – 7 Simple Ways

The excess gas from the body is released in the form of burping (1). While this process occurs naturally for many of us, some of us may find it difficult. If you find it tough to burp and want to know how to burp easily, we got you covered. In this article, we deep dive into how to make yourself burp and ease your stomach gas. People with burping difficulties feel the air stuck in their throat as they cannot push it out completely. The remedies listed here are effective and help one burp easily. Keep reading to learn about these remedies and pick one that suits you the best.

Why Do We Burp?

It is normal to swallow a bit of air when you eat or drink. A study published in the BMJ Journals found that when you swallow 10 ml of liquid, you also end up swallowing about 8 to 32 ml of air too. This air collects in the top of your stomach, building up pressure in that area. This causes the stomach to stretch, relaxing a muscle at the bottom of your esophagus (the food pipe) temporarily to let the air escape. This is why you burp! It is your body’s way of releasing the air (2).

Burping is an important process to ensure healthy digestion in both adults and babies alike. It helps to remove the gas trapped in the stomach, and thus, relieves the gas-induced pain and discomfort. This process also helps to prevent nausea and vomiting. It can also give you some comfort if you have an upset stomach, indigestion, bloating, or flatulence.

So, if you feel like a burp is building up inside you but not coming out, it would be wise you try a few simple tricks to help it release. Learn more below.

7 Best Ways To Make You Burp

To make yourself burp, you need to get the gas out of your system. Start by sitting up straight and inhaling deeply. Hold it in your throat and exhale after a couple of seconds. Attempt to burp while pushing the stifled air out. Here are some simple home remedies for gas that trigger burping and provide some relief.

1. Drink Water Or A Carbonated Beverage

Carbonated beverages have dissolved carbon dioxide in them. Once the drink reaches your stomach, the gas is released as bubbles. The bubbles build up pressure in your stomach. This, in turn, relaxes a muscle at the bottom of your food pipe, allowing the gas to escape upwards (2). Thus, drinking a carbonated beverage can help you burp.

Due to the same process, drinking plain water can also help you burp by building up gastric pressure (2). All you have to do is drink an entire glass in a single breath while pinching your nose (so that no air is released).

Quick Tip

You can also use a straw to quickly drink your cold drink. This can help build up the gaseous pressure, which, in turn, can help you burp.

2. Change Your Breathing Style

This is another method you can use to make yourself burp. Slouching while breathing can cause your burp to get stuck midway.

When you slouch while breathing, your posture can compress your stomach and put pressure on your diaphragm (the muscle that helps push air up and out). This may prevent you from burping. Instead, sit upright so any air you swallow tends to gather in the upper part of your stomach. This causes your stomach to stretch and release collected gas as a burp as it relaxes (2). This not only prevents gastrointestinal symptoms like acid reflux but can also make it easier for you to burp.

3. Swallow Air

Another quick solution to how to burp fast is to exhale all the air from your lungs. Follow it up with a deep breath, inhale a lungful of air, and hold. This increases the intra-abdominal pressure, allowing the air to escape as a burp (3), (2). Now, instead of breathing out the inhaled air, just swallow it. You may see yourself burping right after. However, don’t do this too often as it can cause flatulenceⁱ  Also called farting, the act of passing out the excess gas in the large intestine produced by bacterial activity. and make you belch all too often.

Vinnie, a vlogger, spoke about a simple way of burping on command in his video. He said,”Suck in some air and when you have the air in the mouth, you’re going to swallow. Then I’m gonna puff my cheeks back out (i).”

4. Do Some Light Exercises

Light exercises can exert pressure on the air inside your stomach and force it up. A simple jog, a brisk walk, or even jumping up and down can help you burp while also getting rid of excess gas. Simply lying down and getting up on your feet quickly will also do the trick. If there’s air in your stomach, life will work on it to remove and expunge it.

Additionally, anecdotal evidence suggests lifting small weights may also help increase the pressure inside your stomach, allowing you to burp. A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that any lifting maneuver, be it lifting weights or squatting to pick something up, causes higher abdominal pressure than other ways of lifting, like from a counter or catching something. Further, lifting as little as 2.5 kg caused noticeable increases in abdominal pressure. However, be careful not to carry too much weight as it may lead to health issues (4).

5. Eat Gassy Foods

Gassy foods like cabbage, chickpeas, apples, pears, and broccoli contain complex carbohydrates that are harder for your digestive system to break down (5). When these foods ferment in the gut, they produce gases like hydrogen and methane (6). The gas buildup creates pressure in your stomach and intestines, triggering a belchingⁱ  Also known as burping, the act of expelling excess air in the digestive tract through the mouth. .

6. Suck In And Trap Some Air

Another quick way to burp is to force some air into your throat and trap it. For this, you will first have to suck air into your mouth until your jaw and throat expand. Do this until a bubble forms in the throat. Now, trap the bubble by blocking your mouth with your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Release the bubble slowly by lowering your tongue and parting your lips slightly. This action can induce burping.

This technique works by mimicking the natural process of swallowing air, creating enough pressure to stimulate a burp (2).

7. Take Antacids

Taking over-the-counter antacidsⁱ  Drugs that help neutralize the excess acid produced in the stomach that may otherwise cause acidity or heartburn. that contain calcium carbonate can also cause one to burp (7). However, antacids are mainly taken to relieve acidity and should be the last resort to provoke burping. It is also important to note that burping is actually one of the side effects of antacids that contain calcium carbonate (7). Therefore, do not use them regularly to make yourself burp, unless advised to do so by your doctor.

Quick Tip

You can also lie on your stomach and curl your knees towards you. Stretch your arms forward and arch your back. Repeat as needed. Ensure you keep your head and throat level.

How To Prevent Gas And Bloating

Alongside your regular home remedies for a bloated stomach, you can make the following lifestyle changes to prevent a repetition of the discomfort from bloating and gas.

• Limit your intake of gas-producing foods like cabbage, broccoli, beans, peas, lentils, dairy products, etc.
• Eat slowly to avoid swallowing too much air (8).
• Quit smoking.
• Avoid drinking water in between or soon after a meal.
• Avoid chewing too many gums.
• Eat your last meal at least a couple of hours before bedtime.
• Do light exercises. If you have just eaten, focus on expanding the areas you feel heavy and full in.

According to a study involving 71,812 participants, 30.9% of people reported having symptoms in the last week while 44.1% reported experiencing GERD at least once in the past. To manage the symptoms of GERD these 55.2% of them relied on proton pump inhibitors, 24.3% on histamine-2 receptor blockers, and 24.4% on antacids.

Now you’ve got the hang of prevention tips for reducing burping. Let us discuss why chewing gum can make you burp.

Why Does Gum Make Me Burp?

Chewing gum may trigger burping in individuals because it leads to the ingestion of air. When you chew gum, you naturally swallow small amounts of air along with your saliva. Over time, this air can accumulate in your stomach. When the volume of swallowed air is substantial, your body may respond by inducing burps to release it (2).

Further, chewing gum involves a repetitive jaw motion, which introduces even more air into your digestive system, increasing the likelihood of burping. While gum-induced burping is generally harmless, it can be bothersome or embarrassing for some. If you frequently experience discomfort due to gum-induced burping, you might consider reducing your gum-chewing habit.

Infographics: Healthiest Ways To Make Yourself Burp

Burping is a natural process but a burp may sometimes get stuck in the throat and cause discomfort. Though we already mentioned a few tips and tricks for making yourself burp, not all of them are advisable for everyone.

Check out the infographic below to learn the healthiest ways to make yourself burp.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you have to burp a baby?

You will have to burp your baby until he/she is 6 months old. This is because it will be difficult for your little ones to burp themselves at such a young age.

Why can’t some people burp?

Your food pipe or esophagus is surrounded by a muscular valve called the upper esophageal sphincter. This muscle only relaxes while swallowing, and during the other times, it contracts. The esophageal sphincter will have to relax momentarily when you burp to allow the built-up air to escape. When this doesn’t happen, it results in the inability to burp. This is why some people find it difficult to belch. It is also due to the lack of correct muscle memory; damage to the left part of the brain can be a cause for the inability to burp as well.

What positions help release trapped air?

You can lie on your side with your knees bent to help relieve trapped gas. You also may alternate between straight legs and bent knees for relief.

Why do I feel like I have a burp stuck in my throat?

This can be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD), which causes the acid to flow back up your throat, creating a feeling of something being stuck in your throat. If this condition continues to persist for longer, it could be because of an underlying condition such as gastritis, lactose intolerance, Helicobacter pylori, peptic ulcers , pancreatitis, symptomatic cholelithiasis, and angina pectoris, etc (8), (9).

What are the signs of a serious burping issue?

Though burping is a natural bodily function, excessive burping might be a sign of an underlying medical condition. If you experience excessive burping along with symptoms like bloody stools, diarrhea, loss of appetite, chest discomfort, and changes in the color or frequency of the stool, it could signal an underlying digestive condition. It is recommended that you consult a doctor in these cases.

Learn how to burp in minutes with the help of this fun video. Click on it to get tips on how to get rid of any gas stuck at the back of your throat effectively.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Henok MaledeBS, MPH-D, RYT

     

Dr. Henok Leake Malede has 10 years of experience in naturopathy. He began his career in Atlanta, Georgia and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana after completing his undergraduate studies. He studied at Tulane School of Tropical Medicine and Public Health.

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Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Dipti SharmaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Dipti is a health and wellness writer specializing in holistic health practices. She graduated from Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, and has worked closely with Ayurvedic doctors, which has given her a deep understanding of traditional remedies and their applications.

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