Science or Snake Oil: do hangover cures actually work?

Kenneth Harvey, Paulie Stehlik

Research output: Contribution to journalOnline ResourceResearch

Abstract

[Extract]It seemed like a good idea at the time. But a few drinks with friends turned into a few more, and the next morning you’re not feeling so crash hot. Is there anything you can take to help?

Over recent years, a number of products have emerged that claim to prevent or cure hangovers if consumed while drinking and/or the morning after. Five products are now marketed in Australia: Rapid Recovery, Recoverthol, Rejoove, Hydrodol and Body Armour.

These products contain various combinations of:

Vitamins – B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide), B5 (calcium pantothenate), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin) and C (ascorbic acid),

Cysteine – an amino acid and

Herbs – silybum marianum (milk thistle), pueraria lobata (kudzu root) and hovenia dulcis (Japanese raisin tree).

The smallest number of ingredients in a product was three, the average 15 and the most 33. Clearly, there is little consensus on what ingredients work.
Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Conversation
Publication statusPublished - 16 Nov 2018

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Science or Snake Oil: do hangover cures actually work?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this