How to Treat Sulfur Burps

Co-authored by Jennifer Mueller, JD | Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

Although sulfur burps, also called "rotten egg" burps, might be embarrassing, they typically don't indicate anything serious. Making small changes to the way you eat will usually get rid of them and prevent them from starting. If changes to what and how you eat don't get rid of the problem, you might want to consult a gastroenterologist to find out if an underlying cause is to blame. In the meantime, check out these home remedies and small diet tweaks to get rid of sulfur burps fast.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preventing Sulfur Burps

1
Eat and drink more slowly to avoid swallowing air. Burps and belches are typically caused by swallowing too much air as you eat. The faster you eat, the more air you swallow. However, if you eat and drink more slowly, you'll swallow less air, resulting in fewer burps.^{[2]
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- Keep your mouth closed while you chew and chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.
- Taking smaller bites and eating smaller portions may result in your stomach producing less gas.
Tip: You'll also swallow less air if you drink directly from a glass rather than drinking from a straw.
2
Take digestive enzymes with your meal. Digestive enzymes help your body break down and absorb the food you eat. They help reduce how much gas your body produces, which minimizes burps and flatulence. Read and follow all of the directions that come with your digestive enzymes.^{[3]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- You can find digestive enzymes at a local health food store, drug store, or online.
- Check with your doctor before using digestive enzymes.
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3
Use an over-the-counter anti-gas medication before you eat. Many of the over-the-counter anti-gas medications are designed to primarily to treat flatulence. However, since they target the gas that builds up in your stomach and intestines, they might also help curb sulfur burps. There are 2 basic types:^{[4]
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- Products containing simethicone (Maalox, Mylanta, Gas-X) help break up gas bubbles.
- Supplements such as Bean-O if you're eating beans and broccoli, foods that are related to sulfur burps.
4
Take a short walk after eating. A short, relatively brisk walk stimulates digestion so that your stomach produces less gas. It also helps any gas that's there move through your digestive system so you don't burp it up.^{[5]
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- If you're eating at home, a quick walk around the block is generally all that is necessary to stimulate your digestion.
- If you've gone out to eat at a restaurant, on the other hand, you might walk around the parking lot for a couple of minutes before you leave.
5
Stay well-hydrated throughout the day. While you've likely heard that you should drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, you may not realize that a large portion of the water you drink each day aids in digestion. You're more likely to have gas and bloating problems if you're semi-dehydrated.^{[6]
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- Avoid guzzling your water. Drink small sips regularly throughout the day so the water is absorbed by your body.
- While the specific amount of water you should drink differs based on your height, weight, and activity level, you'll know you're drinking enough if your urine is relatively clear.
6
Drink herbal tea or hot water after eating to relieve your symptoms. Green, peppermint, and chamomile tea might help soothe your gut and stimulate digestion. These same properties can also prevent sulfur burps.^{[7]
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- You might also look for blended herbal teas that are specifically mixed to aid digestion or soothe the stomach and intestines.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Changes to Your Diet

1
Limit foods high in sulfur-containing compounds. Foods such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale are rich in sulfur-containing compounds that can cause sulfur burps. Try eating a couple of meals without any of these types of vegetables and see if your sulfur burps continue.^{[8]
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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- Garlic, onions, and leeks can also produce sulfur burps.
- Foods that are rich in proteins, particularly red meats, are also potential triggers of sulfur burps.
2
Avoid beer and carbonated drinks. When you drink carbonated beverages, you're necessarily swallowing air. Beer and carbonated drinks cause more burping generally, but they can also trigger sulfur burps, depending on what kind of food you've eaten.^{[9]
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- Switch to water or tea while eating, instead of drinking something carbonated, to cut down on burping.
3
Cut simple sugars and simple carbs out of your diet. Sugars and simple carbs can feed bad bacteria and fungus in your digestive system. This can cause multiple symptoms, including sulfur burps. Remove these foods from your diet to see if it helps reduce your burping.^{[10]
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- Pick complex carbs like whole grains instead of refined carbs.
4
Try eliminating dairy from your diet. If you're even mildly lactose intolerant, consuming dairy products can lead to a buildup of gas in your stomach and intestines, producing sulfur burps. Even if you've never had a problem consuming dairy before, lactose intolerance can increase as you get older.^{[11]
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- You might also switch to low-fat or skim dairy products, which contain less lactose and might be easier for you to digest.
5
Choose more gluten-free cereal grains, such as rice. While you might not necessarily have a gluten sensitivity, decreasing the amount of gluten in your diet may help treat your sulfur burps. Gluten can release gas in your stomach and intestines, leading to sulfur burps.
- Wheat, barley, and rye are the main grains with gluten. Gluten-free grains include buckwheat, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, and rice.
6
Keep a food diary to identify foods that trigger sulfur burps. If you find that you have sulfur burps frequently, start writing down everything you eat and when. Note if you have sulfur burps afterward.^{[12]
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- Record what you eat in your diary for a couple of weeks, then go back through it and start looking for patterns. For example, if you have sulfur burps after drinking milk, you might be lactose intolerant.
- If you find a pattern, eliminate that food (or category of food) from your diet for a couple of weeks and see if your symptoms improve. If the sulfur burps continue, try again with something else.
Tip: If gradually eliminating food from your diet doesn't seem to work, or if you're unable to find patterns of triggering foods, you might have an underlying digestive condition that's causing the sulfur burps.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Determining the Causes

1
Talk to your general practitioner if you have additional symptoms. If your sulfur burps are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, they may be caused by a more serious underlying condition. Your general practitioner can evaluate your overall health and attempt to determine the cause.^{[13]
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- If you were keeping a food diary, share it with your general practitioner. They may be able to identify patterns or potential triggers that you didn't notice.
Tip: Let your doctor know what medications and nutritional supplements you're taking. Some medicines and supplements can cause sulfur burps.
2
Ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist if your symptoms are ongoing. If you make changes to your diet and eating habits but your sulfur burps continue, you might have some sort of infection in your digestive system. A gastroenterologist, who specializes in the digestive system, will be better able to analyze your symptoms and your digestive tract to identify the problem.^{[14]
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- Typically, you'll need to get a referral from your general practitioner to see a gastroenterologist. Depending on your health insurance, you might want to make sure your visit will be covered.
3
Get tested for chronic digestive conditions. When you first visit a gastroenterologist, they will typically take urine and stool specimens to test for digestive conditions. Other tests, including blood tests, can also help the gastroenterologist diagnose your condition.^{[15]
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- The gastroenterologist will discuss the results of the tests with you and let you know if they have a diagnosis or if further testing is needed.
4
Ask your doctor if you need treatment for candida overgrowth. Candida naturally grows in your digestive system, but too much can be harmful. Candida overgrowth typically causes symptoms like acne, rashes, bloating, gas, digestive issues, brain fog, mood issues, autoimmune issues, and cravings for sugar and alcohol. Talk to your doctor if you suspect you have candida overgrowth. Your doctor can diagnose candida overgrowth and help you develop a treatment plan.^{[16]
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- You may be able to heal your gut by eating a healthy diet, taking antifungals, and supporting your digestive system.
5
Take medications as prescribed. Most digestive conditions are treatable with prescription medications. Your gastroenterologist will determine which medications are likely to be the most effective for you.^{[17]
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- Let your gastroenterologist know if you experience any uncomfortable side effects or want to switch to a different medication. Don't simply stop taking a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor first.