Well, I am thinking the same, but I reckon anything that offsets the gastric pH is bound to have a systemic effect as well. The body will look to go to equilbrium, and so the ionic exchange would have to ripple out from the digestive system one way or another. I would wonder how much bicarbonate it would take to swing the pH enough to make a difference in a relatively short period, though

Normally the volume of the stomach fluid is 20 to 100 mL and the pH is acidic (1.5 to 3.5).

I'll do the actual neutralization calculations later...must...have...green...tea...before...

*THWACK* faceplant onto keyboard

-Blast