People have been searching for hangover cures since centuries; however, there have been very limited scientific studies on this and potential cures. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) says that the hunt for a miracle prevention of hangovers may be over and Pear juice may be the thing we have been looking for.
The organization said that it has been researching pears in collaboration with Horticulture Innovation Australia and has made some astonishing findings about what this humble fruit is capable of doing.
CSIRO notes that beyond its capabilities to lower cholesterol, relieve constipation and have anti-inflammatory effects, pear appears to have the capability of fending off hangovers and lower blood alcohol levels.
Professor Manny Noakes, CSIRO’s lead researcher on the project, revealed that they have only investigated Korean (or Asian) pear, which has long been been used as a remedy for alcohol hangover. She added that the hangover preventative effect of pear has been realized by consuming 220ml Korean pear juice, although consumption of whole pears may produce a similar effect.
Though there may be several ways in which pear prevent hangovers, Noakes said their research suggests that the Korean pears act on the key enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to speed up alcohol metabolism and elimination or inhibition of alcohol absorption. In particular, reductions were seen in blood acetaldehyde levels, the toxic metabolic thought to be responsible for the hangover symptoms, with pear juice consumption.
During experiments, pear juice significantly reduced overall hangover severity with the most pronounced effect seen on the specific symptom of ‘trouble concentrating’.
Noakes warns that this finding doesn’t imply that people can pear-binge their way as the effects of pear are preventative and not curative i.e. there is no evidence that you can consume pairs after drinking and avoid a hangover.
Noakes also warns that these findings are preliminary and a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on pears, pear components and relevant health measures would reveal more precise results.
Pear cider for me then