Drinking pear juice before drinking alcohol could prevent a hangover

Typical symptoms of a hangover may include headache, drowsiness, concentration problems, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, absence of hunger, sweating, nausea, hyper-excitability and anxiety – yep, it can be pretty rough.

‘Once you have a hangover, there is no evidence that it will do you any good.

The scientists measured the success of the hangover cure by using a scale of 14 common symptoms.

To get the effect, it is believed you need to drink 220 ml of the juice.

While the mechanism responsible isn’t completely understood, the researchers say that factors in Korean pears have an effect on key enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which accelerate the metabolism of alcohol and inhibit its absorption in the body.

The fruit has also been found to “lower cholesterol, relieve constipation and have anti-inflammatory effects”. However, you have to eat/drink the pears before drinking.

According to the study, pears can work as a means to prevent a hangover and not necessarily cure it. Researchers suggest that your best bet to reap the benefits is to drink pear juice prior to consuming alcoholic beverages.

In the study overall hangover severity was significantly reduced in the Korean pear group compared to those having a placebo drink, with the most pronounced effect being on the person’s ability to concentrate.

Prof. Noakes admits the results are yet to be finalized as this was only a preliminary scoping study. Furthermore, Noakes and her team hope to deliver a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on pears, their nutritious components and the relevant health effects.