June 28, 2004
Is there really a cure for hangovers? A study published in the June 28th, 2004 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who took a dietary supplement containing extracts of a species of prickly pear cactus before consuming alcohol, had reduced symptoms of alcohol hangover compared to individuals who drank but took placebo.
Alcohol hangovers cause real economic and health consequences. Previous research suggests that the severity of hangovers may be related to inflammation caused by impurities in alcoholic beverages and byproducts of alcohol metabolism. The liver produces elevated levels of C-reactive protein after injury or trauma. This substance is thought to be involved in inflammation and alcohol hangovers. The prickly pear extract appears to reduce inflammation.
Jeff Wiese, M.D. and his colleagues randomly assigned 55 young adult volunteers (aged 21 to 35 years) to receive either cactus extract or placebo five hours before they consumed alcohol. The study participants were given dinner (cheeseburger, fries and soda) four hours before alcohol consumption. They chose a single type of alcohol to drink for the study - either vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, scotch, or tequila. They consumed quantities that have been found to cause hangovers in previous studies - up to 1.75 grams per kilogram of body weight.
Researchers assessed hangover severity and overall well-being the next morning, along with taking blood and urine samples. Two weeks later, the study was repeated with the same volunteers except those that were previously given cactus extract were given placebo and vice versa. Researchers found that three of the nine symptoms of hangover – nausea, dry mouth, and loss of appetite – were significantly reduced after taking the cactus extract. The average score for well-being the next morning was 2.75 for volunteers who took the extract and 3.10 for volunteers who took placebo. C-reactive protein levels were strongly associated with hangover severity, and these levels were 40 percent higher in volunteers who took placebo.
Is a hangover cure around the corner? It usually takes some time for basic research to yield a commercial product - but Opuntia ficus indica extract may become more widely available if future research supports this preliminary study.
Reference: Archives of Internal Medicine2004;164:1334-1340.
Last edited 11/04/05
