Science Says Eating Pears Before Drinking Can Prevent Your Hangover

In today’s questionable but hopeful science studies, scientists in Australia have claimed that the answer to all those hangovers has been sitting in our fruit bowl this whole time.

But likely the most interesting discovery for those with a tendency to overindulge was the discovery that Korean pear juice can prevent hangovers as well as lower blood alcohol levels.

Now they hope to see if the common Western pear has the same properties as its Asian cousin, which is commonly used as a hangover beater in the Far East. It worked with Horticulture Innovation Australia to look at the effects of drinking pears on those that are consuming alcohol.

If you are thinking of guzzling gallons of pear juice the morning after a big night, think again.

You should note the hangover cure only works when you eat the pears before you drink; there is no evidence eating pears while plowing through a hangover actually helps you overcome it.

“In our initial reviews, we can see reductions in blood acetaldehyde levels-the toxic metabolic thought to be responsible for hangover symptoms”, explains Manny Noakes, Ph.D., research director of Nutrition and Health with the CSIRO.

“I should make the point that the effect was demonstrated if you take pear juice before alcohol consumption”. To gain any benefits, 220ml of pear juice must be consumed before alcohol consumption.

However he also pointed out that the best way not to get a hangover is not to drink copious amounts of alcohol in the first place.

Noakes added: “Overall hangover severity, as measured by a 14 item hangover severity scale, was significantly reduced in the Korean (Asian) pear group compared with those having a placebo drink, with the most pronounced effect seen on the specific symptom of “trouble concentrating”, she said.