Skip to main content
Fig. 1 | BMC Gastroenterology

Fig. 1

From: Review of recent evidence on the management of heartburn in pregnant and breastfeeding women

Fig. 1

Adapted from Bor et al. [79]

Diagram of alginate raft structure formation following ingestion of an alginate-containing formulation. Alginates react with the stomach acid to form a gel-like substance with neutral pH (A). Sodium bicarbonate contained in the formulation releases carbon dioxide gas, which becomes trapped in the gel. The trapped carbon dioxide gas allows the gel to float to the surface of the stomach content (B), effectively forming a raft structure (C) which acts as a barrier over the gastric acid pocket, and blocks against upward reflux.

Back to article page