With Christmas just around the corner now, your diary is likely filling up with boozy festive events.
These events are great fun at the time, but the morning after isn’t usually so pleasant, with the inevitable hangover lingering over you.
While you might be tempted to head to McDonald’s to cure your hangover, scientists have developed what they claim is the ultimate hangover cure - and it’s a lot healthier than a McMuffin.
Researchers from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai have created a drink made from pear juice, sweet lime and coconut water, and claim it’s the best thing to drink after a night out.
To develop the drink, the researchers analysed the effects of various food items on two enzymes that break down alcohol.
The results revealed that pear, sweet lime, coconut water, cheese, cucumber and tomato were most effective.
Unsurprisingly, during taste tests, the researchers found that cheese wasn’t exactly that palatable in a drink, and instead, a drink that was 65% pear, 25% sweet lime and 10% coconut water was the tastiest.
The final drink was found the boost the activity of one enzyme by 23%, and the other by 70%.
Professor Rekha Singhal, who led the study, said: “Hangover poses a considerable threat at the individual level.
“Along with the occurrence of unpleasantness there is also a risk of health issues that might impact everyday functioning.
“It also affects the economy due to a decrease in the productive work caused by sleep deprivation, loss of attentiveness and alertness.
“A beverage made from a blend of sweet lime, pear, and coconut water could be used to overcome hangover.
“The consumption of this beverage with cheese, cucumber, and tomatoes may further alleviate the hangover symptoms.”
The findings come just days after Dr Petra Simic, Clinical Director at Bupa Health Services, revealed her top tips for beating a hangover.
Speaking to Mirror Online, she said: “When it comes to the morning itself, you might be feeling sluggish, shaky, nauseous and dehydrated.
“If you’re thinking that ‘hair of the dog’ is your best bet for recovery, think again, drinking when you’re hungover doesn’t help. Your dehydrated body will prefer water and fruit juices instead.
“Another common myth is that you’re best to sweat out a hangover. When you’re dehydrated, the last thing your body needs is to lose more fluids, so ditch the gym or run and rest up until you’re feeling better.”
