Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study on the nutritional efficacy of a food for special medical purposes (FSMP) and a dietary supplement in reducing the symptoms of veisalgia

Abstract

<jats:sec><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>To assess whether the symptoms of veisalgia can be reduced by intense water supply and the intake of antioxidative supplements and plant extracts.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>We performed the world’s largest randomised double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study (214 participants) on the efficacy of a food for special medical purposes (FSMP) against veisalgia symptoms. We analysed the effectiveness of: (1) an FSMP, including distinct plant extracts, vitamins and minerals, and additional (antioxidative) compounds; (2) a dietary supplement only comprising vitamins and minerals and additional (antioxidative) compounds; and (3) a placebo containing only glucose. The study followed the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines and trial registration was not necessary.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Our study showed no statistically significant relationship between the variation of body water content and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common belief, the results showed that intervention with a supplement containing vitamins and minerals and additional antioxidative compounds did not lead to a statistically significant improvement in hangover symptoms. Additionally, our results confirmed a high individual variability in developing hangover symptoms depending on the amount of alcohol. Thus, standardisation of the amount of alcohol consumed in hangover studies does not necessarily contribute to the validity of the results. Finally, this study found a number of positive effects on certain hangover symptoms as a result of the FSMP, which were most likely due to the plant extracts contained within the food.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>This study significantly supports the finding that haemostasis of electrolytes and minerals caused by alcohol consumption might be negligible and that no significant dehydration due to alcohol consumption seems to occur. Additionally, only the FSMP provides evidence for a significant efficiency in the reduction of hangover symptoms such as headache and nausea following moderate and non-excessive alcohol consumption.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Detoxification activity of bioactive food compounds against ethanol‐induced injuries and hangover symptoms: A review

“…Although Lieb and Schmitt ( 2020 ) found that the minerals may confer little or no effect in alleviating the ethanol‐induced side effects, their significant effects on repression of post‐alcohol symptoms have been reported by other scientists. In this contribution, selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and vanadium (V) were reported to deliver the most effects in reducing the ethanol‐hangover symptoms (Min et al, 2010 ).…”

“…Similar study conducted by Noh et al ( 2009 ) found that Dandelion juice could increase the concentrations of plasma ALDH and expression of catalase and glutathione reductase in males aged 24–28 years. Alleviation of hangover symptoms was also studied by Lieb and Schmitt (Lieb & Schmitt, 2020 ) in healthy adult individuals by administration of a formula containing Malpighia glabra fruit extract, Opuntia ficus indica fruit extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Salix alba leaf extract, and Zingiber officinale root extract enriched with vitamins and minerals. To understand the detoxification effects of plant extract, a second group delivered a supplement that contained vitamins and minerals in the absence of the plant extracts.…”

“…In this study, the detoxification effects were significantly observed in the group that received the plant extracts but were not observed in another group supplied by only minerals and vitamins. On the basis of this observation, the authors concluded that restoration of electrolytes and vitamins to the body had no significant effect in alleviation of ethanol hangover symptoms and the main role was governed by the plant extracts presumably through activation of ADH and ALDH enzymes, inhibition of pro‐inflammatory mediators, and development of antioxidant activity (Lieb & Schmitt, 2020 ).…”

Research progress on extraction technology and biomedical function of natural sugar substitutes

“…To combat these disease, researchers in most countries have used foods to develop different regimens for patients FSMP. Part of the treatments have involved use of specially processed formula foods, which meet the special needs of nutrition or diet for people with restricted eating, digestion and absorption disorders, as well as metabolic disorders and specific diseases (20). At present, some theoretical studies and programs have been designed for clinical practice.…”