According to a laboratory study done by Chinese researchers, Sprite can help the alcohol metabolism process and alleviate hangover symptoms. But can this classic lemon-lime soda really cure a hangover?
Here’s everything you need to know about Sprite as help for hangover recovery and some other remedies you can try.
How Can Sprite Help after a Hangover
In 2013, a group of Chinese scientists compared the effect of 57 drinks—including tea, herbal infusions, and carbonated beverages—on the speed at which liver enzymes metabolize alcohol. The study found that Sprite may cause alcohol to be broken down more quickly than other drinks and potentially help reduce hangover symptoms.
How does it work?
When the liver processes alcohol, it creates several chemical byproducts. One of them is the highly toxic acetaldehyde, which is believed to cause the unpleasant sensation of a hangover.
Acetaldehyde is metabolized by the liver enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) into less harmful acetate. But after you’ve had a few drinks, liver enzymes become saturated and they can’t break down the remaining acetaldehyde.
The Chinese study showed that Sprite could help clear alcohol's toxic byproducts faster than other beverages thanks to the amino acid taurine, a common ingredient in soft drinks. Taurine has been shown to speed up the ALDH process and promote the elimination of acetaldehyde.
Although Sprite may help alleviate your hangover symptoms, there are several other drinks to try when suffering from a hangover.
Other Drinks That Help with Hangovers
Water
Drinking can expel up to four times as much water compared to when you’re sober, quickly leading to dehydration which is the main cause of hangover headaches. Water helps your body restore the necessary fluids and remove the remaining toxins.
Coconut water
Alcohol doesn’t only make you lose fluids, but it also washes away essential electrolytes. As a good source of potassium and other minerals, coconut water can effectively replace the nutrients you lost while drinking.
Sports drinks
Consuming sports drinks like Gatorade, Powerade, and Pedialyte is another effective way to replace lost electrolytes. In addition, sports drinks elevate blood glucose and sodium levels, leading to quicker rehydration.
Orange juice
Drinking alcohol depletes vitamin C levels and lowers your blood sugar. Orange juice is a classic hangover cure that provides the natural sugar you need for an energy boost.
Ginger lemon tea
Ginger is shown to reduce nausea, whereas lemon supports your liver, which is working hard to metabolize all the alcohol. To make ginger lemon tea, simply boil some water with a few slices of ginger and the juice of half a lemon.
Bone broth
Bone broth is a popular hangover cure, due to its high levels of salt and potassium. It also contains L-glutamine which supports the health of your small intestine and glycine which helps detoxification.
Miso soup
Fermented soybean (miso) soup is a good vegetarian alternative to bone broth. Miso contains an ample amount of salt, as well as probiotics and antioxidants that help soothe digestion.
In the following section, we take a closer look at some other remedies that can help you feel better after a night of partying and drinking.
What Are Other Hangover Cures
Bland, starchy food
Potatoes, bananas, rice, toast, and other bland, starchy foods can relieve nausea, boost your blood sugar, and increase your energy levels when you’re hungover.
Painkillers
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen can relieve headaches and muscle pain associated with a hangover. Just make sure to avoid Tylenol, because any alcohol lingering in your body may increase the toxicity of this medication and harm your liver.
Water and other fluids
Excess alcohol increases the body's urine production and causes vomiting and diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration. The quickest way to rehydrate is by drinking lots of water and other fluids.
Coffee
As a stimulant, coffee can help reduce hangover fatigue and ease your headache. However, coffee can be dehydrating, so make sure to drink plenty of water too.
IV therapy
IV therapy is the fastest and most efficient way to combat hangover symptoms, since nutrients are delivered directly into your bloodstream for full and immediate absorption.
Reset IV hangover formulas consist of specially designed blends of hydrating fluids, vitamins, and medication. We offer several hangover packages:
- Hydration package is based on normal saline fluid that helps restore a healthy balance of fluid and electrolytes.
- Still Spinning package consists of a base of electrolytes and your choice of anti-heartburn medication, nausea medication, or painkillers.
- Defcon 1 package offers a choice of anti-nausea, anti-heartburn, and pain relief medications, in addition to one liter of fluid and electrolytes.
- Pre Game package contains a normal saline solution and a B-vitamin complex to replenish the nutrients you lost while drinking.
- The Baller package includes a multivitamin co*cktail and either anti-nausea, pain relief, or anti-heartburn medication.
