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What are the ingredients that could be used for hangover recovery?

July 13, 2015
ANSWER

Proposed Ingredients that can help to reduce the severity of hangovers:-

A.  Oligofructose

  • A hangover causes gastrointestinal disturbances as alcohol irritates the stomach and intestines which may lead to inflammation in the stomach.
  • Oligofructose has prebiotic fibers that can balance the microflora in the intestine by using intestinal enzymes to ferment certain bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli). The selective stimulation of these bacteria generates, reduces the growth of pathogens and lead to a healthier intestinal flora.
  • Oligofructose fermentation helps in reducing potential toxic end products into the colon (Bifidogenic effect).

B. Green Tea Extract

  • People experiencing a hangover tend to experience disruption of sleep and other biological rhythms. Green tea may help in improving the mood and relaxes you by influencing alpha-waves in the brain.
  • Green tea leaves have been thought to be greatly effective in relieving hangovers, since they contain Polyphenols and thus can easily decompose acetaldehyde. Green tea extract acts as a strong antioxidant (Polyphenols) that combats the oxidizing effects that alcohol has on chemicals within the body (United States Patent No. US20100316735A1, 2010).
  • Theanine content in green tea may also help people improve their mood and feel more relaxed and less anxious. It enters the systemic circulation and is assumed to enter the brain which  may influence brain functioning. During rest, it may increase alpha-waves in the brain which indicates greater relaxation (Pijl et al., 2010).

C. N-acetyl-Cysteine

  • N-acetyl-Cysteine is an antioxidant that helps during glutathione synthesis in defending the body against harmful toxins in the liver.
  • It is converted in the body into metabolites capable of stimulating glutathione (GSH) synthesis, promoting detoxification and acts as free radical scavengers. It is appears to have clinical usefulness as a chelating agent, and act as an agent capable of protecting the liver & kidney from damage. N-Acetyl-Cysteine maintains antioxidant defences and these effects suggest that it may be a useful agent to preserve liver functions.

D. Electrolytes: Sodium, Magnesium and Potassium

  • During a hangover, human tends to experience dehydration and electrolyte imbalance through sweating, vomiting and diarrhea. Hence, it is essential to replenish the loss of minerals and nutrients.
  • Sodium is a major intravascular ion that influences serum osmolality. An acute rise in serum sodium will produce an acute shift of free water from the interstitial to the vascular space (Geiger & Wanner, 2012).
  • In regard to muscle function, Magnesium affects oxygen uptake, energy production and electrolyte balance.
  • Potassium maintains cellular neutrality, ensuring normal cardiac and neuromuscular functioning (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016).

E. Antioxidant: Sodium Ascorbate

  • Oxidative stress may compromise human liver functions. Thus, with the aid of antioxidants, it may help in detoxification of alcoholic compounds from the body.
  • An antioxidant is a substance capable of preventing or slowing the oxidation of other molecules. It can protect against metal toxicity by trapping free radicals thus terminating the chain reaction.

F. B Vitamins: Vitamin B3, B6 and B12

  • B vitamins are essential to hangover recovery due to low sugar levels during a hangover which leads to fatigue, weakness and mood disturbances.
  • Vitamin B3 aids in energy production and in the metabolism of fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.
  • Vitamin B6 helps by improving body metabolism and producing faster energy. It contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal psychological functions and reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
  • Vitamin B12 aids in the production of amino acids and the processing of carbohydrates into energy. It also maintains nervous system functions and contributes to normal neurological and psychological functions. It helps in curing tiredness and fatigue after a hangover.

 

References

Belliston, W. (2010). Compositions and methods for reducing hangover symptoms. United States Patent No. US20100316735A1.

Geiger, H. & Wanner, C. (2012). Magnesium in disease. Clinical Kidney Journal, 5(1), i25–i38. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndtplus/sfr165

Ignatavicius, D., & Workman, M. (2016). Medical-surgical Nursing: Patient-centered Collaborative Care (8th ed.). Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Pijl, P. C., Chen, L. & Mulder, T. P. J. (2010). Human disposition of L-theanine in tea or aqueous solution. Elsevier Ltd, 2(4), 239-244.

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