Turns Excess Acid Into Water

[Prudie]

This is the tagline for the current Rennie (?) advert. Surely that's not scientifically possible?

[Zacs-Master]

https://edu.rsc.org/experiments/using-indigestion-tablets-to-neutralise-an-acid/698.article

[gingejbee]

The calcium or magnesium carbonate will neutralise acid and one of the resulting products will be water.

[THECORBYLOON]

Their website states, "Rennie’s antacid-based calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate formula works fast, neutralising excess stomach acid, turning it into water and other natural substances. Rennie can be taken day or night to relieve the symptoms related to acid reflux fast."

That's not quite so snappy...

[gingejbee]

Ah, but I didn't need google!

[Prudie]

I'm interested to read any answers that go through the science I don't understand however I can understand how they would neutralise an acid but not turn an acid into water.

[Buenchico]

The acid in your stomach is hydrochloric acid. Rennies contain calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.

The reaction between hydrochloric acid and calcium carbonate forms calcium chloride, WATER and carbon dioxide

The reaction between hydrochloric acid and magnesium carbonate forms magnesium chloride, WATER and carbon dioxide.

The claim seems sound enough to me.

[gingejbee]

Basically, calcium carbonate + hydrochloric acic = calcium chloride + water.
They are stretching the meaning of "turns into" a bit!

[woofgang]

I remember this from school, acid plus base (alkali) = salt plus water

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Chemical/acidbase.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zsmgpbk/revision/4

wow I learned that 55 years ish ago

[gingejbee]

....must type quicker, or somebody will say the same before me...

[Buenchico]

Perhaps Bayer (who manufacture Rennies) should turn their hand to marketing grapes?

Their sales pitch could be "They turn water into wine" ;-)

[jno]

enough Rennies and upset tummies could turn the Saraha green again, then.

[Prudie]

Well Jno I was going to make the facetious comment that if this works why not take a pile of Rennies and some barrels of HCL to any drought-ridden area....

[jno]

yep, we're thinking outside the packet there, Prudie

[Chinajan]

// Well Jno I was going to make the facetious comment that if this works why not take a pile of Rennies and some barrels of HCL to any drought-ridden area.... //

If you're taking barrels anyway then perhaps just put H2O in them rather than HCL? :0) Saves on Rennies.

[woofgang]

chinajan......joke

[bhg481]

Just look at all the carbon dioxide these indigestion-sufferers are creating then by having Rennies; it's no wonder there's global warming.

[davebro]

I use good old bicarbonate of soda. It's cheap & it works!

[gingejbee]

^problem in using sodium bicarbonate as a remedy is that it increases your sodium levels dramatically...not recommended if using regularly.