‘I Drank Korean Pear Juice Before a Night Out to See if It Really Does Prevent Hangovers. Here’s What Happened’

Take it from a retired social gathering lady: There’s nothing worse than waking up the morning after a enjoyable, blurry evening with a double shot of guilt and the spins. 

Since going sober-curious a couple of 12 months in the past, I now save the tequila sodas for extra particular events, however I’ve loads of mates who nonetheless imbibe on the reg. So after I heard about how Korean pear juice can supposedly assist forestall hangovers, I needed to get my palms on some—and, effectively, hand it over to mentioned mates. 

Meet Brett, 26: He drinks alcohol nearly each weekend and will get actually dangerous hangovers—the kind of hangovers the place your head seems like Humpty Dumpty fell down a hill (his phrases, not mine). Brett eagerly volunteered to be my guinea pig and check out Korean pear juice earlier than an evening out, hoping it will assist ease the aftermath. 

However earlier than we get to this little experiment’s outcomes, let’s dive into what Korean pear juice is and why it is marketed as a technique to forestall hangovers.

What’s Korean pear juice?

Korean pear juice is made out of Korean pears, also called Asian pears, which have a firmer, apple-like texture in comparison with the pear varietals in most of our grocery shops. 

“Not like the extra generally identified European or American pear juices, which will be fairly thick and syrupy, Korean pear juice is often lighter and crisper, just like the fruit itself,” says dietitian Lauren Manaker, RDN. “This distinct texture interprets right into a juice that is extra hydrating and fewer acidic.”

Brett likened the pear juice to a fruity sports activities drink. “I’d contemplate ingesting both on a scorching day or after a sports activities exercise,” he says.

Diet-wise, although, pear juice does not appear to trump tried-and-true sports activities drinks, which include much-needed electrolytes.  “Pear juice is a supply of hydration, nevertheless it lacks important electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which will be closely depleted following alcohol consumption,” says Claire Rifkin, MS, RDN, an NYC-based ladies’s well being dietitian and founding father of the telehealth personal follow Claire Rifkin Diet. FYI, dehydration is what results in an electrolyte imbalance, which might contribute to the dreaded complications and dizziness after an evening of ingesting.

What the science says

It seems that each one the hype round Korean pear juice stopping hangovers relies on one very small research.

In an August 2013 research revealed in Meals and Chemical Toxicology, 14 younger males drank alcohol half-hour after consuming both Korean pear juice or a placebo drink. Those that drank the pear juice appeared to have much less extreme hangover signs than those that took the placebo drink, particularly amongst these with sure genotypes. Plus, the pear juice appeared to assist decrease the individuals’ blood alcohol content material. The researchers attribute this to the pear juice’s pure enzymes and antioxidants, which assist metabolize alcohol. 

Along with this small human research, there’s some restricted analysis in rats that exhibits Korean pear juice can enhance alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the enzyme that breaks down alcohol, and reduce blood alcohol ranges. 

Given these outcomes, it is sensible that having a glass of Korean pear juice as a pre-emptive measure may end up in a milder hangover the next day, proper? Not so quick. You will wish to take these outcomes such as you’d take a tequila shot: with rather a lot of salt.  

So, can Korean pear juice forestall hangovers?

“I believe I died and went to hell,” Brett texted the group chat on Sunday. Spoiler: Korean pear juice did not work on Brett.  

Brett tried the juice a number of instances earlier than consuming alcohol. The precise model he examined, Bae Juice, instructs you to drink it earlier than having your first alcoholic beverage. However sadly, the pear juice was no match for a number of rounds of beer, seltzers, and Irish automobile bombs.

The next day, Brett skilled his normal hangover signs—headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting—with none noticeable variations.

Backside line

Should you’re eager on pre-gaming with pear juice, there’s doubtless no hurt in doing so. “However I wouldn’t eat this product pondering that it’ll forestall your hangover or can help you drink extra alcohol than you’ll should you hadn’t consumed it,” Rifkin says. 

Your finest guess: Attempt extra dependable hangover prevention strategies, corresponding to consuming an entire meal earlier than an evening of ingesting, limiting your alcohol consumption, and alternating between one alcoholic drink and one full glass of water, Rifkin recommends.

As for Brett, it is secure to say that Bae Juice is not his without end ingesting bae.