A thickener for use in an alkaline battery provides a gel viscosity ratio
(N1h/N12h) of 0.7 to 1.3, the gel viscosity ratio (N1h/N12h) being a
ratio of a viscosity (N1h) of a gel after being left to stand for one
hour to a viscosity (N12h) of the gel after being left to stand for
twelve hours (where the gel viscosity is a viscosity of a gel composed of
2.0 parts by weight of the thickener, 200 parts by weight of zinc powder,
and 100 parts by weight of 37 wt % aqueous solution of potassium
hydroxide, measured at 40.degree. C. according to JIS K7117-1: 1999). An
alkaline battery having a negative electrode gel in which the thickener
of the present invention is used is provided. The alkaline battery
exhibits improved long-term retention of discharge characteristics
(discharge amount and discharge time), and improved impact resistance.