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Sulfur burps: Causes & treatment

It’s natural for the digestive process to cause belching, but those with a sulfur-like smell shouldn’t happen very often
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By | Mar. 7, 2024 Medically reviewed by Jesse P. Houghton, MD, FACG
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Burping is completely normal. And while it may not always be polite, it’s still a sign of a functioning digestive system. Yet when burps start smelling like rotten eggs, it could cause genuine concern instead of mild embarrassment.

Sulfur burps are a common condition with a wide range of causes, including eating certain foods, gastrointestinal issues, medications, and bacterial infections. While they’re typically nothing to worry about, here’s everything you need to know about sulfur burps.

What are sulfur burps?

Burping is the body’s way of releasing excess air or gas trapped in the digestive tract. While eating and drinking, we swallow air, which can collect in the esophagus or stomach—especially for people who eat quickly, chew gum, drink soft drinks, eat hard candies, use loose dentures, and smoke. Air can also accumulate from gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux), gastritis, ulcers, and food intolerances. But no matter the cause of gas, it will eventually force its way out. 

In fact, the release of gas happens approximately 13–21 times per day between burps and flatulence. Most of those burps only smell a little, if at all, and they’re barely detectable. But occasionally, they might smell distinctly unpleasant, like rotten eggs. That’s a giveaway for hydrogen sulfide gas—the culprit behind sulfur burps.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a natural byproduct of digestion, and although it rarely comes out as burps, it could under certain circumstances. Sulfur burps don’t always have other symptoms, but excess gas can cause bloating, upset stomach, and flatulence. If sulfur burps stem from an underlying cause, they might also accompany diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or weight loss.

What causes sulfur burps?

Hydrogen sulfide is the root cause of smelly burps, and its sources can vary. It’s a typical byproduct of digestion, yet certain things can increase its production or force it out of the body. Here are a few of the most common.

Certain foods

Diet is one of the primary culprits for sulfur burps, according to Rudolph Bedford, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “Certain foods may create a sulfur smell. We think sulfur burps smell like rotten eggs, and eggs are one of those foods, along with other things that are high in protein, like chicken, fish, and beef,” he says. 

But depending on the person, other foods may also cause foul-smelling burps, such as:

  • Dairy products, like milk
  • Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower
  • Beans and other legumes
  • Onions and garlic
  • Soda, beer, and alcohol

Why? Because the body creates gasses as it processes certain nutrients. “During digestion, some proteins are broken down by sulfur-reducing microbes that produce hydrogen sulfide gas as a waste product,” says Paul Daidone, MD, FASAM, medical director of True Self Recovery. “This gas can then be released from the body through burping.”

Gastrointestinal conditions

Specific digestive issues may also cause excess gas in the small and large intestines, stomach, and esophagus. For example, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause stomach acid and gas to back up in the esophagus and then release as burps. According to Dr. Bedford, “People may also have something called gastroparesis, where the stomach itself is not emptying very well. So the food they’re taking in sits in the stomach, and that will create gasses.”

Other medical conditions that may cause sulfur burps include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), and indigestion. But chronic gastrointestinal issues aren’t the only culprits. “There are [certain conditions, including] cancers that can decrease emptying of the bowels, small intestine, stomach, and colon, which may also slow the peristalsis, possibly creating excessive gassiness or a sulfur-smelling gas,” Dr. Bedford says. 

Food intolerances

Food intolerances can wreak havoc on the digestive tract, causing bloating, upset stomach, fatigue, headache, and brain fog. But they also might cause strong-smelling burps. People with food intolerances or celiac disease lack the gut enzymes to properly break down certain foods, often lactose or gluten, which may create excess gas.

Bacterial or parasitic infections

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria that lives in contaminated water and can infect the stomach. One study estimated that roughly half of the world’s population has H. pylori bacteria, although many people don’t experience symptoms. However, the infection may cause ulcers, abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating. It may also cause excessive burping and has been linked to sulfur burps as well. It has even been shown to increase the risk for stomach cancer.

The parasitic germ Giardia is another potential cause. It typically infects the intestines and affects the lower intestinal tract, causing diarrhea, flatulence, stomach cramps, and bloating. However, it can also manifest as foul-smelling burps.

Stress and anxiety

People well-acquainted with stress know the pulse-quickening, sweat-inducing, mind-racing feeling that accompanies it, but they often ignore the digestive symptoms. The truth, however, is that stress and anxiety have a strong link to gastrointestinal distress. 

When the body enters “fight or flight” mode, it diverts energy away from digestion to prepare for the more immediate threat, which is why chronic stress can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, including sulfur burps. 

Certain medications

“Certain medications may very well cause sulfur burping, and some of it may have to do with the bacteria that’s already within your small intestine and colon,” Dr. Bedford says. One of the most prominent medications that can cause sulfur burps is Ozempic—a relatively new prescription medication that helps treat Type 2 diabetes. It can slow down the digestion, resulting in a buildup of digestive gases. Sulfur burps are a relatively rare side effect of Ozempic, but they’re possible. 

How to get rid of sulfur burps

Effective sulfur burp treatment depends on the cause, so an accurate diagnosis is crucial. Diet-associated cases might respond well to dietary changes or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. But for persistent cases that stem from an underlying issue—like GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, or an infection—it’s best to treat the issue first. That said, most cases will subside on their own, but certain treatment options and home remedies may help: 

  • Dietary changes: By eliminating sulfur-rich foods from your diet one at a time, you can eventually find the culprit and then adjust your diet accordingly. 
  • OTC drugs: Antacids and medications like Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) and Gas-X (simethicone) are designed to help relieve pressure and reduce gas in the gut. Taking anti-gas medication before a meal or antacids after one may help prevent digestive issues. 
  • Peppermint tea: Research suggests that peppermint has a relaxing effect on nearly the entire gastrointestinal system. One systematic review found it effective in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which includes gas. 
  • Probiotics: The good bacteria in probiotics can contribute to a healthy gut microbiome and improved digestion.
  • Turmeric: Prized in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for millennia, this popular Indian spice might benefit the digestive system, as studies from 2004 and 2022 have shown its efficacy in relieving symptoms of IBS. 
  • Cumin: Like turmeric, cumin thrives as a spice at the dinner table and as a remedy for digestive issues—research has linked it to a reduction of IBS symptoms.
  • Hydration: Every step of the digestive process requires water, and not getting enough can cause constipation, indigestion, and other issues. 
  • Walking after eating: Mild exercise after a meal can help the stomach and intestines function efficiently, and it may help alleviate some symptoms of IBS and abdominal bloating.  

How long do sulfur burps last?

“They typically last just a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the cause,” Dr. Daidone says. “If they are caused by certain foods or drinks, they should go away once those substances have been fully digested and eliminated from your body.” However, they may persist if they stem from an underlying condition. 

Either way, seeing a physician is the best way to limit their duration. “If somebody comes into my office complaining of sulfur burps, I’ll start looking for the etiology, but certainly, I’ll give them a clue as to how they can potentially mitigate the actual burping and smell itself,” Dr. Bedford says.

When should I be worried about sulfur burps

It’s normal to have burps that smell every so often. So, even though a foul rotten egg smell might feel concerning, sulfur burps are rarely something to worry about. Dr. Bedford says the most common concern is when patients feel discomfort from a distended abdomen. “That’s usually where we’re taking more immediate action and dealing with it,” he says. “Other than that, it’s more of an inconvenience in terms of a smell.”

Frequent sulfur burps—or ones accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal symptoms—could denote an underlying health concern. That’s why “it’s important to seek medical attention if you notice a sudden increase in the frequency or intensity of the sulfur burps or if they are affecting your quality of life,” Dr. Daidone says. “A healthcare provider can help identify the cause and suggest appropriate treatment options.”

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