My secret addiction (Andrews Liver Salts)

Member Name: Tracy_1127

Product:	Andrews Liver Salts
Date:	21/11/08 (2042 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: taste nice, work well, cheap

Disadvantages: none for most people, for me a potential addiction!

When I saw another review on dooyoo for Andrews Liver Salts it reminded me that I had some in the cupboard, hidden in the cupboard too I might add, because I adore them!

Fast and effective relief from an upset stomach is the claim and they are useful for indigestion, excess acid, upset stomach, constipation and the all important over-indulgence. Perfect for the approaching festivities!

Andrews Liver Salts are "an effervescent powder containng sodium hydrogen carbonate (22.6%), citric acid (19.5%) and magnesium sulphate (17.4%). The powder is white and doesn't really smell of much except a slight sherbert scent.

The tub is oval with a blue lid and some also have a little spoon attached to measure out a dose which is 5ml. The spoon from my tub has been lost so I just use a teaspoon.

Upon checking the ingredients apparently sodium hydrogen carbonate is really bicarbonate of soda and is alkaline so it neutralises acid but overdoses can cause congestive heart failure. I'm glad I looked that up because I can get a bit carried away with these liver salts due to my liking for the taste so I need to curb that!

Citric Acid seems an odd ingredient but apparently this helps balance PH so you don't get too alkaline and it helps preserve the powder and magnesium sulphate is in these in case you use them for a laxative, it is to reduce the likelihood of potential heart problems from taking these salts. So now you know!

The dose for over-indulgence, indigestion etc is 5ml mixed with water up to 4 times a day and for constipation 10ml mixed with water once a day. Children over 3 take half the adult dose and children under 3 should not take these. If you are on antibiotics, pregnant, take any prescribed medications, are on a low sodium diet, have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or kidney disease you should check with your doctor before taking these.

When you add the powder to water it fizzes dramatically, to the point where you should wait a while or you end up with bubbles in your eyes and up your nose! The taste I'm so partial to? It's similar to tonic water only saltier, like Alka Seltzer without the bitterness. I'm not sure why I love it so much, I've always been a fan and would much rather take this than chew a dry indigestion tablet.

Do they work? Yes, they do indeed settle the stomach down but along the way they tend to produce quite alot of burping! I find indigestion tablets have the same effect on me and well, rather out than in!

Andrews Liver Salts cost around £2.50 for 150g and £3.50 for 250g. The plastic tub helps prevent dampness getting into the product which would cause the powder to solidify and most households should have some of these in for the Xmas period, they really do settle the stomach.

Summary: Thoroughly recommended