‘Tis the season for festive cocktails and boozy eggnog, but nothing makes you feel like a grinch more than a long and painful hangover. That may be why a pharmacist on TikTok has gone viral for sharing the hangover “cure” she swears is “100% effective.” In her video, Ari reveals that she takes vitamin B complex, magnesium and a folic acid supplement along with an electrolyte drink, calling it “single-handedly the most effective way” to deal with the symptoms of overdoing it with alcohol.
Ari calls the combo an “oral version of an IV fluid bag” and the clip has racked up 1.8-million views, with many TikTokers sharing follow-up videos saying the cure works for them. But is it really as effective as they say? According to clinical nutritionist Sally O’Neil, “Theoretically and anecdotally, it would make sense that it can help relieve a hangover, yes.”
While she warns that the doses given in IV bags in hospitals are often much higher than what’s recommended on vitamin labels, O’Neil explains why the 4-ingredient hangover “cure” works:
- “B vitamins are essential enzymes that are used in the process of turning carbohydrates and alcohol into energy,” she says. “Thus, taking more B vitamins can assist your body in efficiently metabolizing (breaking down) alcohol.”
- The electrolytes in the “cure” (including sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium) may help improve symptoms as well, she says.
- “B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), folic acid, B6 and B12 all play a major role in the functioning of the brain and nervous system and arguably could be beneficial in this instance,” she says of the hangover cure.
- The nutrition expert points out that there’s no clinical evidence that shows a difference between taking B vitamins for hangovers that night or the next morning, so she says it’s fine to take it any time.
- But O’Neil warns to avoid caffeine for at least an hour after taking supplements as it can negatively affect absorption of the vitamin.
- The electrolyte drink helps prevent dehydration and can be taken after drinking.
- The thing is, even if this hangover “cure” does work, O’Neil reminds us, “The only reliable hangover cure is limiting alcohol intake in the first place.”
Source: New York Post
Photo: Getty Images