Asparagus Extract May Help with Hangovers

Can asparagus extract really help a hangover? Folk remedies include a multitude of cures for hangovers, ranging from aspirin and water to eating apples and bananas to having a Bloody Mary in the morning. Asparagus extract is just the latest remedy to hit the news, due to a Korean study just released in the Journal of Food Science that shows asparagus extract may help ease hangover symptoms and even help prevent liver damage.

Researchers studied the effects of asparagus extract on both human and rat liver cells. According to a press release from the Institute of Food Technologies, lead researcher B.Y. Kim says that "cellular toxicities were significantly alleviated in response to treatment with the extracts of asparagus leaves and shoots." Apparently, certain amino acids and minerals in the asparagus work against the toxins from alcohol.

Does that mean it's OK to drink as much as you want, and rely on asparagus extract to clean it up? Of course not! Excessive alcohol consumption is still dangerous to your liver, as well as to the rest of the body. But asparagus and asparagus extract may be helpful on occasion.

Herbalists and natural medical practitioners use asparagus and asparagus extract in other ways as well. It has anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties, and is used by some as an anti-cancer treatment because it contains antioxidants and strengthens the immune system. Nutritionally, asparagus is a good source of vitamins A, C, B1 and B6 as well as folic acid, potassium, and fiber.

Asparagus extract is available in capsule form and as a tea. Consuming asparagus in vegetable form is probably not effective as a hangover cure since the amino acids and minerals would be less concentrated. Researchers did note that the amino acids and minerals were more concentrated in the leaves than in the shoots, but it's not clear whether the asparagus extracts currently available are made from the leaves, shoots, or a combination of the two.

Readers should be aware that none of these statements or products has been evaluated by the FDA, and that it's best to seek medical advice before using these products.

So what is the standard medical advice for hangovers? WebMD's Elizabeth Heubeck sticks to this basic, tried and true advice: replenish fluids with water or a non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drink before going to sleep, and take a pain reliever before the headache hits. It can't hurt to eat your asparagus, too, though!

SOURCES
Institute of Food Technologies, "Fight the Dreaded Hangover: Asparagus Extracts May Protect the Liver", http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1002109
Elizabeth Heubeck, "Strategies for a Hangover-Free Holiday Season", http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/strategies-for-a-hangover-free-holiday-season