Egg-tasting burps come from hydrogen sulfide produced by gut bacteria breaking down sulfur-rich foods. Persistent cases can relate to acid reflux or infection, so see a doctor.
Cause
Egg-smelling burps come from hydrogen sulfide gas, made when gut bacteria break down sulfur-containing foods or when digestion is slow.
Foods
Eggs, meat, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, garlic, dairy and beer.
Medical causes
- Infection with Giardia or H. pylori.
- Gastritis or acid reflux.
- Food intolerance (lactose).
- Gastroparesis.
- Some supplements and medicines.
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
What helps
Eat slowly, reduce trigger foods, avoid carbonated drinks and stay hydrated.
See a doctor if
It persists more than a few days, or comes with pain, diarrhea, weight loss or vomiting.
Giardia
Common after drinking untreated water.
Where the egg smell comes from
Burps that taste like rotten eggs smell of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that gut bacteria make when they break down sulfur-containing compounds in food. Sulfur burps happen when a lot of that gas builds up in the stomach or upper intestine and is released. Hydrogen sulfide is detectable by the human nose at extremely low levels, a few parts per billion.
Foods that raise it
- High sulfur foods: eggs, red meat, garlic, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and other cruciferous vegetables.
- Protein shakes and supplements, especially those with whey, and protein powders with sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine).
- Beer, wine and carbonated drinks.
- Dairy for people who are lactose intolerant.
- Sulfites in dried fruits and wine.
- Sugar alcohols in sugar-free products.
- Large, fatty meals that stay in the stomach longer.
Medical causes
- Acid reflux (GERD) and gastritis.
- H. pylori infection, a stomach bacterium linked to ulcers, which infects about half of the world’s population.
- Giardia: a parasite from contaminated water that causes sulfur burps, watery diarrhea, gas and cramps, starting 1 to 2 weeks after exposure.
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
- Lactose or fructose intolerance and celiac disease.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Gallbladder disease, pancreatitis and delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis).
- Medications and supplements containing sulfur, such as some antibiotics, and iron or zinc supplements.
What helps
- Eat smaller meals and chew slowly.
- Reduce intake of high-sulfur foods to see if burps lessen.
- Avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol and chewing gum.
- Avoid lying down within 2 to 3 hours after eating.
- Antacids, or acid reducers for reflux.
- Keep a food diary.
- Drink only safe water when traveling or camping.
See a doctor if
Burps last for more than a week or two, or come with abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea for over a week, blood in stool, black stools, unexplained weight loss or difficulty swallowing. Tests may include stool tests for Giardia, breath tests for H. pylori and SIBO, and endoscopy.
Giardia
Giardiasis is treated with metronidazole, tinidazole or nitazoxanide. About 77,000 cases are reported each year in the US, and it is the most common intestinal parasite. Avoid drinking untreated stream or lake water and wash hands often.
Sulfur chemistry in the gut
Egg tasting burps are caused by hydrogen sulfide, a gas produced when gut bacteria break down sulfur containing amino acids and foods. High sulfur foods include eggs, meat, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, onions and beer. Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), acid reflux, H. pylori infection, lactose intolerance, food poisoning and Giardia lamblia infection can cause sulfur burps. Giardia is spread through contaminated water and affects roughly 1.2 million Americans a year, according to the CDC. Taking medicines like bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can darken the tongue and stool. Avoid triggers, eat smaller meals, do not lie down right after eating and limit carbonated drinks. See a doctor if egg burps last longer than a few days, or if you have diarrhea for more than 2 weeks, weight loss, severe pain or blood in stool.
Based on data from the CDC and the Mayo Clinic
