- HCl maintains the acidic environment of the stomach, which facilitates the proteolytic effects of pepsin.
- HCl is needed to control colonization of the upper digestive tract by microorganisms (Ann Intern Med 1973;78:271-6).
- Low HCl production has been linked with various common disorders such as food allergy (Eur J Pediatr 1980;134:249-54) and gallstones (Lancet 1967;i:413-5).
- HCl is important for the optimum absorption of nutrients such as iron (J Lab Clin Med 1978;92: 108-16), vitamin B12 (Postgrad Med 1990; 88:147-150), and beta-carotene (Am J Clin Nutr 1996;64:622-6).