Potassium, K. Reaction with water. When a small piece of potassium is added to water, it produces a hissing sound as it burns with a lilac flame. It also moves about quickly on the water surface. [ image ]. Hydrogen gas is given out in the reaction. The resulting alkaline solution will turn red litmus blue because of the potassium hydroxide formed.
However, a greater alcohol intake depletes the body of certain nutrients, especially amino acids, chromium, vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins like thiamin, folic acid and vitamin B6 - taking supplements of these is recommended for heavy drinkers and those in recovery.
Taking a good quality B-complex supplement (supplying at least 25 mg of the major B vitamins) along with additional zinc (15 â 30 mg) and magnesium (300 â 500 mg) each day may go some way to providing a nutritional safety net for those seeking to let go of their drinking habit.