What really works to cure a hangover? The short answer: not much. A systematic review took a hard look at 21 trials, all of which were placebo-controlled and randomized. They explored various hangover remedies like clove extract, red ginseng, and even Korean pear juice. Spoiler alert: the evidence was rated very low quality. No two studies examined the same remedy, and independent replications? Yeah, those were nowhere to be found. Plus, most studies only involved men, which raises a few eyebrows.
Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is the overachiever in this sad story. It claims to speed up alcohol metabolism, which sounds great for those epic nights of binge drinking. It even helps protect the liver. But, let’s be real; it’s not a miracle drug. It does help convert alcohol to aldehyde faster, but that doesn’t mean it’s the Holy Grail of hangover cures. Notably, DHM enhances the efficiency of enzymes that aid in alcohol elimination, which adds to its appeal.
Dihydromyricetin (DHM) speeds up alcohol metabolism but don’t expect it to be the ultimate hangover cure.
Foods rich in zinc and nicotinic acid might ease the pain, but again, there’s not enough solid evidence to hang your hat on.
Watermelon boosts alcohol detox by a whopping 67.22% in lab tests. But how many people are munching on watermelon while nursing a hangover? Not many, I bet. The systematic review revealed that evidence quality for these remedies is consistently very low.
Hangover IV therapies can provide a quick fix—fluids, electrolytes, vitamins—but they’re not always necessary. If you’re too nauseous to drink water, sure, go for it.
Common painkillers like Advil can help, but Tylenol is a no-go due to liver toxicity when mixed with alcohol.
The bottom line? There’s no magic pill. “Hair of the dog” is a myth that just makes dehydration worse. Most popular remedies have been debunked. The real cure? Maybe just don’t drink so much in the first place.
