Dr Rhonda Patrick, a nutritionist and podcaster, discussed on her podcast FoundMyFitness the impact of fructose, a natural sugar in fruits, on alcohol metabolism.
Research indicates that consuming fruits like grapes, watermelon, and bananas prior to alcohol intake could mitigate hangover effects by lowering blood alcohol levels. Additionally, fruit consumption post-alcohol may expedite recovery by rehydrating the body and replenishing salts, albeit fruit juice might not offer the same benefits due to the rapid absorption of sugars leading to blood sugar fluctuations.
Dr Patrick highlighted that whole fruits, due to their fiber and micronutrient content, are absorbed more slowly, preventing sharp blood sugar spikes. The research she referred to suggests that a significant quantity of fruit is required to noticeably affect alcohol processing, with a gram of fructose per kilogram of body weight potentially reducing intoxication duration by approximately 31% and increasing alcohol elimination time by nearly 45%.
Moreover, fruits rich in antioxidants, such as berries and citrus, could enhance liver function, thereby improving alcohol breakdown. Dr Patrick clarified that while fructose from whole fruits could lessen alcohol's adverse effects, it should not be considered an anti-hangover cure. The study she cited involved 45 healthy men, aged 25 to 35, all moderate drinkers, who were administered fructose in a non-whole-fruit form alongside alcohol to assess its effect on alcohol clearance.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
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