“Alcohol detox” food supplement to prevent hangovers

Excessive alcohol consumption usually results in a series of short-lived but unpleasant symptoms: headache, intense thirst, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, intolerance to light or noise, irritability ... collectively known as a hangover (11). These variable symptoms peak when blood alcohol levels fall to zero, and can persist for 24 hours. Though often made light of, they should be taken seriously as they are likely to compromise alertness, decision-making or physical coordination.

Repeated consumption of alcohol disrupts fat and sugar metabolism. This manifests in excess triglycerides in liver tissues, causing a condition known as steatosis. What’s more, the accumulation of acetaldehyde leads to free radical generation and protein glycation, while at the same time impeding the production of glutathione, a cell-protective tripeptide. It thus creates an environment conducive to chronic inflammation of the liver and digestive tract (12-13).

Ethanol damage also affects the central nervous system, particularly the frontal cortex (inhibition, self-control, etc.), the hippocampus (memory), the cerebellum (balance) and the brainstem medulla (autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure …) (14). This explains the wide range of physical and behavioural symptoms experienced after a night of heavy drinking.

While the relative merits of traditional hangover remedies are the subject of debate, few have actually demonstrated genuine efficacy. Time remains the best healer in enabling the body to break down the ethanol and eliminate its harmful by-products.

There are, however, a few steps you can take to prevent your symptoms from getting worse:

• stay well-hydrated. Alcohol inhibits vasopressin, the hormone governing fluid retention in the kidneys (16), and thus increases urination. To prevent dehydration, you should regularly drink plain water, as well as broth or vegetable juices rich in mineral salts to maintain a good electrolyte balance;;
• go easy on the paracetamol. Interactions between alcohol and paracetamol are particularly complex and are the subject of much scientific debate. However, severe cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported in alcoholics, making the case for exercising caution (17-18). As for analgesics based on aspirin or ibuprofen, they are likely to irritate an already weakened gastric mucosa.
• eat light. To detoxify, rather than overload the liver, choose easily-digestible foods such as poached eggs, lean fish or steamed vegetables. Remineralising foods, such as bananas or honey, can also provide a welcome ‘shot in the arm’ (19). Avoid citrus fruits, however, as they can aggravate heartburn.

Excessive alcohol intake also increases the risk of vitamin deficiency, with several studies suggesting this is particularly the case for vitamins A, B1, B9 and C (15).

While the mechanisms at work here are not yet clear, a number of theories have been suggested:

• a change in the absorption, storage or metabolism of vitamins;
• ‘theft of the vitamins’ by the alcohol itself, to satisfy its own, or induced, metabolic reactions;
• replacement of all or part of the daily calorie intake by the ‘empty’ calories of alcohol (remember that 1g of ethanol = 7 kcal).

To help ease a hangover and get you back on your feet after a night of excess, you could also try:

• Dihydromyricetin, a natural supplement containing dihydromyricetin, the no. 1 flavonoid for ‘the morning after the night before’ (20) ;
• LIV 52®, a concentrate of 8 detoxifying Ayurvedic plants supported by 180 clinical studies.