People have been drinking alcohol for thousands of years. That means that people have been getting hangovers for just as long. Given that rich history, it’s no wonder that hangover cures have taken on the status of myth in many cultures.
It seems that every culture has its own special brand of magic guaranteed to banish the worst of hangovers. Some are familiar, like coffee or eggs, while some may sound more exotic. Bavarians enjoy pickled herring wrapped around an onion, and Mongolians enjoy the pickled eyeballs of sheep.
One of the more uncontroversial choices is the common banana. Given the choices, a banana hangover cure sounds pretty tasty, but do they really help dull the pain?
The marketing gurus at Dole would have you believe so. Corporate jabbing aside, they make several good points. Bananas are 75% water, so they naturally help with dehydration, the primary culprit of a hangover. They also have high amounts of Vitamin C and B6, which help neutralize free radicals and prevent liver damage.
Bananas also contain healthy amounts of magnesium and potassium, which are depleted with the consumption of alcohol and also contribute to the booze blues. Plus, they are loaded with natural sugars that the body needs replenished following a night of festivities.
They may or may not be the “world’s most perfect food,” but it is a fact that bananas do help cure hangovers.
Of course, I should remind everyone that our blog entries are for your information only and are not intended as medical advice. Because everyone is different, you should work with your medical professional to determine what’s best for you. If you’re going to drink, do it legally and responsibly; don’t be stupid =).
