Sprite, Pepsi and tea tested as hangover cures

Conclusion The study has used laboratory experiments to predict what might happen when drinking alcohol with other beverages, in terms of whether the intoxicating effects of alcohol are increased or if the symptoms of a hangover are reduced. The experiments looked at the speed ethanol was metabolised and the first toxic waste product that is produced in its breakdown, acetaldehyde. While the findings are interesting – that only 2 of the 57 drinks reduced the amount of time it took to metabolise acetaldehyde – this is only one aspect of the negative effects of alcohol, and occurred in dishes in a laboratory, not in people. The symptoms of hangovers are probably caused by a combination of the level of ethanol, acetaldehyde and other substances within the alcoholic drink (called congeners) and the effects of alcohol on the body, including: dehydration low blood sugar disrupted hormone levels, such as cortisol It is not possible to say with certainty that either of the drinks identified as having the desired effects in the lab would have any effect on hangovers in people. The best way to avoid a hangover is to limit the amount of alcohol drunk in the first place. Alcohol is damaging – it causes intoxication, which puts people at risk of accidents and placing themselves in vulnerable situations, and in the long-term is associated with liver cirrhosis and cancer. The advice remains to keep within the government guidelines of drinking no more than 21 uni...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Lifestyle/exercise Source Type: news