British researchers scrutinized traditional hangover remedies passed down from grandmothers, finding they lack scientific backing.
A 2021 UK study estimated that people spend about two years of their lives hungover. In 2019, a German court recognized veisalgia—the medical term for hangovers—as a legitimate condition. Common folk remedies abound, from drinking water and "nashi" pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) juice to even Fernet-Branca.
But do they work? A December 31, 2021, review in the journal Addiction concludes these tips have no scientific basis. Lead author Emmert Roberts, an epidemiologist at King's College London, notes the evidence is "of very low quality," calling for more rigorous assessments.
Roberts and colleagues analyzed 21 clinical trials with placebos involving 386 participants. These tested remedies like pear juice, red ginseng, and cloves. Some showed mild symptom relief, but the methods fell short of proving effectiveness.
Trials relied on self-reported symptoms without a standardized symptom scale. No remedy was tested in more than one study, none were peer-reviewed, lacking satisfactory rigor. Participant selection was often limited, such as all-male groups.
Promising candidates like clove extract, tolfenamic acid, and pyritinol emerge, but evidence remains insufficient. Further high-quality trials are needed. Roberts' work aims to combat misinformation rampant in media and social networks.
