Do hangover pills really work?

　　Whenever there is a party or social gathering, drinking is indispensable, and "hangover medicine" has become a "life-saving straw" in the eyes of many people. Just eat one slice and you can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk? Is it really that magical? In fact, the so-called "hangover drugs" on the market cannot really speed up alcohol metabolism. Experts point out that they can only play a certain auxiliary protective role at best, and some products may also cause side effects. So, do hangover pills work?

Do hangover pills really work?

　　The hangover medicines currently on the market cannot truly “relieve hangovers,” nor can they help the body quickly get rid of the effects of alcohol. The so-called "hangover effect" is mostly achieved by reducing the symptoms of drunkenness or protecting the stomach, liver and other organs. It cannot change the speed and process of alcohol metabolism in the body.

　　The main working principles of hangover medicine include: protecting gastric mucosa, reducing alcohol absorption, promoting alcohol metabolism, etc. However, these effects are limited and cannot replace the liver's own metabolic function, let alone make people "not drunk after a thousand cups."

The truth about three common types of “hangover pills”

　　1. Chemical hangover medicine

　　For example, RU21, a peptide-containing product, claims to activate dehydrogenase to break down alcohol. Although there is a certain scientific basis, the actual effect varies from person to person, and it needs to be taken 15-20 minutes in advance to be effective. This type of drug imposes a certain metabolic burden on the liver and kidneys, and long-term use may cause harm to the body.

　　2. Traditional Chinese medicine preparations

　　For example, Sunflower Liver-protecting Tablets, mostly composed of Bupleurum and Schisandra chinensis, can soothe the liver and regulate qi, reduce transaminase, relieve discomfort after drinking, and have a certain repairing effect on mild liver damage. But it's not a "hangover cure", nor can it prevent drunkenness.

　　3. Vitamin health products

　　The common ones are VC and VB, which can help promote alcohol metabolism when taken before drinking. For example, VB1 helps with ethanol breakdown. This type of product is relatively safe, but overdose of VC may cause diarrhea, frequent urination and other problems.

Suggestions for protecting your liver in winter

　　1. Warm and nourishing diet to reduce burden

　　In winter, you can eat mutton, yam, wolfberry and other warming foods in moderation, and avoid raw, cold, greasy food and excessive drinking to reduce the metabolic pressure on the liver. Eat more vegetables rich in dietary fiber such as broccoli and spinach to promote intestinal detoxification and indirectly reduce the burden on the liver. The diet should be light and balanced.

　　2. Regular work and rest to nourish liver qi

　　In winter, you should go to bed early and get up late, ensure 7-8 hours of sleep every night, and avoid staying up late. 1-3 am is a critical period for liver detoxification. Falling asleep at this time can fully repair the liver, reduce liver cell damage, avoid overexertion, allow liver qi to run smoothly, and maintain normal liver function.

　　3. Moderate exercise strengthens metabolism

　　Choose indoor brisk walking, yoga, Tai Chi and other low-intensity exercises, 3-4 times a week, for about 30 minutes each time. Winter sports can promote blood circulation, improve blood supply to the liver, enhance liver metabolism, control weight, avoid obesity and fatty liver, and help liver health.

　　4. Keep warm, prevent cold and protect liver

　　The temperature is low in winter, so you need to keep your abdomen and waist warm to prevent cold air from invading the body. Cold air can easily cause qi and blood to stagnate, affecting the movement of liver qi and blood, which may increase the burden on the liver. In particular, avoid wearing clothes that expose your waist and abdomen. You can warm up the body by soaking your feet, drinking warm tea, etc. on a daily basis.

　　Hangover medicines are not truly “hangover cures.” Their core ingredients are mostly vitamins, amino acids, or herbal extracts. They can only relieve hangover symptoms such as headaches and nausea, but cannot accelerate alcohol metabolism or reduce the damage to the liver caused by acetaldehyde. The decomposition of alcohol mainly relies on the action of liver enzymes. Currently, no drug can replace this process. Excessive use of hangover drugs may also increase the metabolic burden on the liver, and even cause adverse reactions due to unknown ingredients.

　　Reliance on hangover drugs may make people ignore the essential harm of alcohol, and then indulge in drinking, which in turn aggravates the damage to the liver, cardiovascular and other organs. The most effective way to reduce the harm caused by drunkenness is to limit drinking or not drink at all ； If you need to drink, you can eat some food in advance to pad your stomach, drink more water while drinking, and make sure to rest after drinking instead of relying on hangover medicine. There are no shortcuts to health, scientific drinking and maintenance are the key.