• Sodium alginate is a naturally occurring substance found in a particular type of seaweed. In the presence of stomach acid, the Sodium alginate reacts to form a gel.
  • Sodium bicarbonate also reacts with the acid in the stomach to form bubbles of carbon dioxide. These bubbles are trapped by the gel, allowing it to float like a raft on top of the stomach contents. The raft stops gastric acid (stomach acid) from flowing back up into the oesophagus (food pipe), which relieves reflux symptoms like heartburn
  • Calcium carbonate increases raft strength, due to its ability to cross-link alginic acid polymers, allowing the gel to form an ‘eggbox’ structure.
  • The calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate also have an antacid effect – hence the double action of Gelusil Plus.
  • They bind to and neutralise excess acid in the stomach, which relieves the pain and discomfort of indigestion and heartburn.