Testing Hangover Patches: Evaluating Their Efficiency
In the realm of combating the infamous hangover, a new trend has emerged: hangover patches. These small, adhesive patches, such as RallyPatch, claim to alleviate symptoms like headaches and nausea by releasing vitamins over a 24-hour period. However, it's essential to approach these products with a critical eye, as their effectiveness remains unproven by rigorous scientific studies.
While certain types of alcohol, like red wine, whiskey, and brandy, contain congeners and are linked with harsher hangovers, opting for white wine, vodka, or gin-based beverages is recommended as they do not contain congeners. Pre-drinking meals should also include fats or carbohydrates to help the body absorb alcohol more slowly. Eating breakfast the morning after drinking can help return blood sugar to sufficient levels.
Foods high in antioxidants, like berries, spinach, nuts, and dark chocolate, are suggested to help repair some of the alcohol-induced damage. Yet, when it comes to hangover patches, there is currently no direct clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness in preventing hangover symptoms, such as those offered by brands like Bytox and RallyPatch.
Transdermal patches, which deliver medication or vitamins through the skin, have demonstrated efficacy for certain medical applications. However, specific evidence for these patches targeting hangovers is lacking in the available research. Some experts consider the idea of vitamins absorbing through the skin, as in hangover patches, a placebo effect.
RallyPatch, for instance, is a hangover patch infused with various vitamins (A, C, D, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, B5, green tea extract, milk thistle, among others). Milk thistle in RallyPatch is said to protect the liver and brain during alcohol consumption. The FDA does not evaluate the statements of RallyPatch since it is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any medical illness or disease.
Manufactured at a FDA-regulated pharmaceutical company that adheres to strict quality control procedures, RallyPatch is recommended to be applied prior to alcohol consumption, but can also be applied during or after. Despite these recommendations, it's crucial to remember that the effectiveness of these patches remains unproven.
Khiry Clements, the social media manager of the website, tested a RallyPatch sample and reported no notable hangover effects after consuming 9 ounces (266 milliliters) of alcohol. However, this anecdotal evidence should be taken with a grain of salt, as scientific evidence is still lacking.
In summary, while the concept may be plausible, hangover patches have not been scientifically proven to work and should be regarded with skepticism until more evidence is available. Meanwhile, traditional methods like drinking in moderation, staying hydrated, and eating before and after drinking remain the most reliable strategies for managing hangovers.
[1] Reference omitted for brevity.
- In the realm of health and wellness, some people are turning to sports supplements like hangover patches, such as RallyPatch, to alleviate hangover symptoms.
- Despite claims made by brands like Bytox and RallyPatch, there is no direct clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of these hangover patches in preventing symptoms related to chronic-kidney-disease or chronic-diseases.
- While milk thistle in RallyPatch is said to protect the liver and brain during alcohol consumption, it remains unclear whether it or other nutrients in the patch have any impact on mental-health or fitness-and-exercise.
- Nutritionists recommend eating foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, spinach, nuts, and dark chocolate, to help repair alcohol-induced damage to the body.
- In addition to hangover patches, traditional strategies like moderation, staying hydrated, and eating before and after drinking are considered the most reliable methods for managing hangovers.
- Science continues to explore the potential benefits of transdermal patches for various medical-conditions, but specific evidence for their effectiveness against hangovers remains scarce.
