While there have been a number of home-made tonics developed over the years that claim to be a cure for hangovers, a new concoction discovered by researchers in Australia might just be the remedy that beer-lovers need.
Scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) found that the juice of the Korean (Asian) pear has the ability to reduce symptoms of hangovers when drank before taking a sip of alcohol.
In their preliminary study, lead researcher Manny Noakes and her colleagues at CSIRO asked participants to consume 220 milliliters, or 7.44 ounces, of Asian pear juice before imbibing alcoholic drinks.
Aside from limiting the effects of next day headaches, the fruit juice was also able to significantly reduce other common alcohol-related symptoms such as nausea, memory loss and an acute sensitivity to light.
Noakes said that the most noticeable benefit of the pear juice, however, is seen on the drinker's ability to concentrate.
She explained that the composition of the fruit affects enzymes in the human body that are linked to the metabolism of alcohol. These enzymes help the body burn and eliminate alcohol, as well as prevent its absorption.
"In particular, reductions were seen in blood acetaldehyde levels, the toxic metabolic thought to be responsible for hangover symptoms," Noakes said.
Regarding other types of pears that could provide similar benefits, Noakes said that available research only pertain to the Asian pear, which has been considered as a traditional cure for alcohol hangover.
She pointed out that there are a number of differences in compositions between Western varieties of pears and their Asian counterparts that they must first confirm before they can determine if other pears can also provide similar results.
As of the moment, the reduction of alcohol hangover symptoms have only been observed after consumption of Asian pear juice, but the researchers believe eating whole pears of this variant could also help alleviate the effects of alcohol.
Despite the positive findings seen in their study so far, Noakes and her colleagues noted that these are only the preliminary results and that they have yet to be finalized.
She said that they hope to provide an extensive assessment of the scientific literature regarding pears, their components and other health measures relevant to their use.
Photo: Elias Gayles | Flickr
