Alka Seltzer health warning as ‘daily dose’ contains as much salt as 20 bags of crisps
Alka Seltzer should come with a health warning as a daily dose contains as much salt as 20 bags of crisps, watchdogs have warned.
A study discovered surprisingly high salt levels in popular branded effervescent soluble painkillers and other medicines, which experts said could cause regular users to far exceed their recommended daily allowance, The Telegraph reported.
This could lead to increased risk of strokes and heart attacks, particularly among the elderly, according to campaigners at Action on Salt.
The study found soluble versions of paracetamol and other painkillers, cold and flu remedies, heartburn and indigestion medicines, and vitamin supplements contain sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride that could send consumers’ salt intake soaring.
Alka Seltzer was among the saltiest medicines, with 1.2gr per tablet, or 9.6gr for the maximum recommended daily dose of eight.
They calculated this is equivalent to eating 20.9 packs of Walkers ready salted crisps.
Maximum daily doses of Panadol extra soluble tablets, Beechams cold relief orange flavor and Gaviscon cool mint liquid all contained more than six bags of crisps’ worth of salt, the study showed.
A single tablet of Berocca contains the equivalent salt level to 1.4 packets of Walkers crisps or 11 percent of the recommended daily intake. Berocca recommends consuming no more than one tablet a day.
Professor Graham Macgregor, the chair of Action on Salt, said, “This is really quite a serious problem which is hidden. Many of the people who take these medications are elderly and it is likely to take their salt intake way above what it should be, leaving them at a greater risk of stroke or heart disease.
“Tablets which are effervescent or soluble contain salt because it makes them immediately dissolve. Sodium bicarbonate is a small ion, which means it dissolves in water very quickly, so people don’t have to wait long before drinking the medicine.
“Although on the pack information it will say these medicines contain sodium bicarbonate or salt, they should come with a clear health warning.”
Harry Rose, Editor of Which? Magazine said, “With more of us aware of the health implications of consuming too much salt, the news that many over-the-counter medicines can be a source of large amounts of hidden salt may come as a shock.
“The salt content in medicines and supplements should be made clear on the packaging and not buried in a leaflet inside, so that people can make informed decisions about their purchases.”
John Smith, the chief executive at the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, said, “The availability of soluble medicines provides an alternative choice for people who can’t, or don’t like to, swallow tablets or capsules.
“The study comparison of salt content in soluble products, versus a packet of ready salted crisps is not an appropriate or fair comparison.
“Over-the-counter medicines are designed to provide short-term relief from a range of uncomfortable and painful conditions.
“People should not be taking these medicines regularly for long periods of time. Information about appropriate use is contained on the packaging and in the patient information leaflet.”