This Scientific Review Found That “Hangover Cures” Don’t Actually Work
Nearly everyone who has ever indulged in alcohol has also experienced the terrible symptoms of a hangover.
Some people get a pounding headache, while others are hit with overwhelming fatigue or stomach-turning nausea.
For years, tons of products and remedies have hit the shelves, claiming to “cure” these symptoms.
But, a new review conducted by researchers from King’s College London and South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust found “only very low-quality evidence” of any self-proclaimed “hangover cures.”
In popular media, you may have seen the “hype” around red ginseng, clove extract, Korean pear juice, and other supposed methods to curb hangovers.
This review encompassed “twenty-one placebo-controlled randomized trials” that aimed to test the efficacy of methods just like these. However, it is essential to note that no common painkillers were evaluated.
Out of the twenty-one studies reviewed, the researchers deemed any evidence of a “hangover cure” to be very low.
While the researchers believe these “cures” are not as miraculous as they claim to be, there were still some research limitations.
For example, it was challenging to report the timing of alcohol consumption. Additionally, there were significant differences in the types of alcohol consumed and if participants paired their consumption with meals.
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Regardless, the study’s authors are adamant that more research into these products is needed. Dr. Emmert Roberts, the study’s lead author, discussed how hangover symptoms could affect all areas of a person’s life– from academics to employment.
“Given the continuing speculation in the media as to which hangover remedies work or not, the question around the effectiveness of substances that claim to treat or prevent a hangover appears to be one with considerable public interest,” Roberts continued.
“Our study has found that evidence on these hangover remedies is of very low-quality and that there is a need to provide more a rigorous assessment.”
Roberts also added that for now, the only way to avoid hangover symptoms entirely is to drink in moderation or abstain from alcohol completely.
Do you have a hangover cure that you “swear by”? Unfortunately, it may not be as effective as you think.
Instead, the timing of your alcohol consumption, what you eat, and body composition may be the real factors at play.
So, the next time you are considering buying clove extract or red ginseng, maybe save your money and opt to drink a bit lighter instead.
To read the complete scientific review, visit the link here.
More About:Human Interest
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