For anyone who has woken up regretting that last round of drinks, there may be a simple solution sitting in your fridge. According to researchers at Sun Yat-Sen University in China, Sprite might be one of the best remedies for a hangover.
The Science Behind the Hangover
Hangovers are caused by the way our bodies break down alcohol. When we drink, our liver produces an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to convert ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound responsible for nausea, headaches, and fatigue. The body then relies on another enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), to break acetaldehyde down into acetate, which is much easier to process.
How Sprite Helps
The study examined 57 different beverages, ranging from herbal teas to carbonated soft drinks, and found that Sprite speeds up the ALDH process. By helping the body convert acetaldehyde into acetate more quickly, Sprite may reduce the duration and intensity of hangover symptoms.
Other Hangover Remedies
While Sprite may be a promising solution, other popular hangover remedies include drinking plenty of water to rehydrate, consuming electrolytes to replenish lost minerals, and eating foods rich in vitamins and amino acids—such as bananas, eggs, and toast—to support liver function. Ginger tea can help with nausea, while coffee may provide temporary relief from headaches, though it can also worsen dehydration. Some people swear by supplements like prickly pear extract and milk thistle, which may help the body process alcohol more efficiently.
Summing Up
While more research is needed to confirm Sprite’s effectiveness compared to other remedies, this study suggests that reaching for a can of the lemon-lime soda could help ease post-drinking misery faster. So next time you’re suffering from a hangover, you might want to skip the greasy breakfast and grab a Sprite instead.
