‘I Drank Korean Pear Juice Before a Night Out to See if It Really Does Prevent Hangovers. Here’s What Happened’

Take it from a retired party girl: There’s nothing worse than waking up the morning after a fun, blurry night with a double shot of guilt and the spins.

Since going sober-curious about a year ago, I now save the tequila sodas for more special occasions, but I have plenty of friends who still imbibe on the reg. So when I heard about how Korean pear juice can supposedly help prevent hangovers, I had to get my hands on some—and, well, hand it over to said friends.

Meet Brett, 26: He drinks alcohol almost every weekend and gets really bad hangovers—the type of hangovers where your head feels like Humpty Dumpty fell down a hill (his words, not mine). Brett eagerly volunteered to be my guinea pig and try Korean pear juice before a night out, hoping it would help ease the aftermath.

But before we get to this little experiment's results, let's dive into what Korean pear juice is and why it's marketed as a way to prevent hangovers.

What is Korean pear juice?

Korean pear juice is made out of Korean pears, also known as Asian pears, which have a firmer, apple-like texture compared to the pear varietals in most of our grocery stores.

"Unlike the more commonly known European or American pear juices, which can be quite thick and syrupy, Korean pear juice is typically lighter and crisper, like the fruit itself," says dietitian Lauren Manaker, RDN. "This distinct texture translates into a juice that's more hydrating and less acidic."

Brett likened the pear juice to a fruity sports drink. "I would consider drinking either on a hot day or after a sports activity," he says.

Nutrition-wise, though, pear juice doesn't seem to trump tried-and-true sports drinks, which contain much-needed electrolytes. "Pear juice is a source of hydration, but it lacks essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which can be heavily depleted following alcohol consumption," says Claire Rifkin, MS, RDN, an NYC-based women's health dietitian and founder of the telehealth private practice Claire Rifkin Nutrition. FYI, dehydration is what leads to an electrolyte imbalance, which can contribute to the dreaded headaches and dizziness after a night of drinking.

What the science says

It turns out that all the hype around Korean pear juice preventing hangovers is based on one very small study.

In an August 2013 study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, 14 young men drank alcohol 30 minutes after consuming either Korean pear juice or a placebo drink. Those who drank the pear juice appeared to have less severe hangover symptoms than those who took the placebo drink, especially among those with certain genotypes. Plus, the pear juice seemed to help lower the participants' blood alcohol content. The researchers attribute this to the pear juice's natural enzymes and antioxidants, which help metabolize alcohol.

In addition to this small human study, there's some limited research in rats that shows Korean pear juice can increase alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the enzyme that breaks down alcohol, and decrease blood alcohol levels.

Given these results, it makes sense that having a glass of Korean pear juice as a pre-emptive measure can result in a milder hangover the following day, right? Not so fast. You'll want to take these results like you'd take a tequila shot: with a lot of salt.

So, can Korean pear juice prevent hangovers?

"I think I died and went to hell," Brett texted the group chat on Sunday. Spoiler: Korean pear juice didn't work on Brett.

Brett tried the juice several times before consuming alcohol. The specific brand he tested, Bae Juice, instructs you to drink it before having your first alcoholic beverage. But unfortunately, the pear juice was no match for multiple rounds of beer, seltzers, and Irish car bombs.

The following day, Brett experienced his usual hangover symptoms—headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting—without any noticeable differences.

Bottom line

If you're keen on pre-gaming with pear juice, there's likely no harm in doing so. "But I wouldn’t consume this product thinking that it will prevent your hangover or allow you to drink more alcohol than you would if you hadn’t consumed it," Rifkin says.

Your best bet: Try more reliable hangover prevention methods, such as eating a complete meal before a night of drinking, limiting your alcohol intake, and alternating between one alcoholic drink and one full glass of water, Rifkin recommends.

As for Brett, it's safe to say that Bae Juice isn't his forever drinking bae.

Tags: Food and Nutrition, Healthy Drinks, Healthy Eating Tips

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