It is estimated that between 9 to 17% of adults and 15% to 20% of adolescents have a magnesium deficiency. Being deficient in magnesium can cause conditions such as , heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. This is a narrowing of the arteries because of a cholesterol plaque

Side effects can include nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting if too much is taken.

Experts do not suggest magnesium supplements if you do not have a magnesium deficiency, as there is no evidence that taking extra will provide health improvements to those who aren’t deficient.

As a primary care doctor at Houston Methodist, Dr. Noorhan Nassar w:arned: “The actual data supporting benefits of supplementation in otherwise healthy adults isn’t complete — results are mixed and the design of these studies isn’t always ideal.”

He added: “There are studies showing that magnesium can have a laxative effect.”