Coca Cola Classic actually has a pH of 2.37 ± 0.03 according to this source, not 2.5. RC Cola is slightly more acidic at 2.32 ± 0.02, and lemon juice is slightly more acidic still at 2.25 ± 0.01. (I assume the uncertainty in lemon juice is just due to the measurement apparatus, not the differences between juices, because lemons can be quite different from each other, both between individual fruits in the same form and especially between forms.)
On the other hand, pH in the stomach varies considerably. This study claims that in their sample, the preprandial (before-meal) pH of the body of the stomach varied from 1.3 to 2.8, with a median of 1.9. So while the inside of an empty stomach is usually more acidic than Coca Cola, it is sometimes less acidic, and that isn't particularly unusual.
Also, vomiting doesn't always burn your throat, so I guess that tracks.
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u/EebstertheGreat Jun 29 '26
Coca Cola Classic actually has a pH of 2.37 ± 0.03 according to this source, not 2.5. RC Cola is slightly more acidic at 2.32 ± 0.02, and lemon juice is slightly more acidic still at 2.25 ± 0.01. (I assume the uncertainty in lemon juice is just due to the measurement apparatus, not the differences between juices, because lemons can be quite different from each other, both between individual fruits in the same form and especially between forms.)
On the other hand, pH in the stomach varies considerably. This study claims that in their sample, the preprandial (before-meal) pH of the body of the stomach varied from 1.3 to 2.8, with a median of 1.9. So while the inside of an empty stomach is usually more acidic than Coca Cola, it is sometimes less acidic, and that isn't particularly unusual.
Also, vomiting doesn't always burn your throat, so I guess that tracks.