Betaine HCl stomach pH It seems betaine HCl is often recommended for those suffering from "low stomach acid" -- which, as I understand, is having too high stomach pH for proper digestion (especially for proteolysis via pepsin). However, I have a few questions then -- though I'm not sure if my reasoning is correct here:

Understandably, one wouldn't want to drink pure or highly concentrated HCl by itself to increase stomach acid! But then, what role does the betaine play? 

I'm guessing betaine HCl probably does not dissolve in water to give the same pH as just straight (or concentrated) hydrochloric acid -- since then it would seem just as dangerous as drinking plain HCl!

In that case, if it doesn't decrease the pH as much, making it safe for oral consumption, what value does it bring for "lowering stomach pH" anyway? I mean, one could just drink a little vinegar or citric acid for the same effect?

Or, perhaps, is betaine-HCl just a means of some "delayed release" of HCl to lower stomach pH without hurting the mouth and esophagus during its initial consumption? Betaine may just be a useful amphoteric here, given it's quarternary ammonium and carboxylic acid groups (although not just any amphoteric, such as water, may suffice here!)

Alternatively, could the value of betaine HCl simply be in providing a source of $\ce{Cl-}$ anions, possibly for increased pepsin activity? (I'm not sure if pepsin requires merely low pH or specifically also needs $\ce{Cl-}$ anions as well) Betaine-HCl seems to be often formulated with additional pepsin enzyme(s) as well...
Betaine HCl is usually delivered in capsules which pass through the mouth and esophagus intact. 
Regarding the webmd article that says " Even if it were true, betaine hydrochloride wouldn’t help. It only delivers hydrochloric acid but does not itself alter stomach acidity."
This statement seems contradictory. Indeed, I found article the tests stomach ph after betaine hcl usage and confirms that indeed it reduces it:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23980906