New-age anti-hangover drinks a hit with tipplers in city party circuit

Instead of gulping down a glass of lemon juice, coconut water or buttermilk to avoid a Monday morning hangover after a night’s party, tipplers are turning to anti-hangover drinks that could take away the fatigue, headache and even bad breath.

Anti-hangover drinks, which are consumed after a party and before going to bed, are gaining popularity among Bengalureans as they help them stay fresh even after heavy overnight drinking.

“I have been using anti-hangover drinks for the past four months and it helps me wake up the next morning without a hangover,” said Priyadarshini G, who is in her early 50s and runs a salon. “If I have to go to the salon the next day, I am fresh and free from bad breath.”

Ashish, a working professional from Bengaluru, said: “I was fresh the day after my wedding as I drank the previous night.”

One dose of these drinks, sold in 60 ml bottles, is sufficient. Most of these drinks claim to have no caffeine content and are made from organic ingredients.

Mitali Tandon, the co-founder of Morning Fresh, a liver detox and anti-hangover drink, said their product consisted of three ingredients — Vitamin C, mulberry leaf extract and silk protein. The product was tested on around two lakh people and was approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

“It took around a year-and-a-half to complete the research and bring the product into the market,” she said. “We also produce mulberry leaf-based tea and a product that helps heal wounds faster.”

Doctors say people generally go for coffee and products that contain caffeine. “These organic products contain anti-oxidants. They prevent cell damage. With alcohol, the nervous system becomes depressed. These may help with the mechanism of anti-oxidants,” said Dr B S Ravindra, chief medical gastroenterologist, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital. Dr K S Poorna Chandra, consultant gastroenterologist, Fortis Hospital, said: “These drinks are supposed to stimulate your brain. We are yet to know how much they really help.”

Although the ingredients are organic, according to experts, it is important to check if the product is approved by any authorised governing body like the FSSAI.