Key Takeaways:

• Pre-alcohol supplements can help mitigate the negative effects of alcohol; they’re not a silver bullet cure.  

• Take the supplement before or while drinking for optimal results; prioritize products that are clinically studied.  

• To get the most out of any recovery supplement, prioritize eating a healthy meal, drinking enough water, and getting a good night’s sleep.  

• Choose products that use science-backed ingredients and have third-party research to back their claims. 

If you're on social media, walking store shelves, or scrolling through reels, you have seen pre-alcohol drinks. They come in sleek bottles with promises of recovery on the labels. 

But what are they? Most importantly, what does science say about their ability to support your body's recovery after a night out?

We won't sugar-coat it. Let’s go through the facts behind pre-alcohol drinks.

First Things First: What Happens to Your Body When You Drink?

Before we discuss pre-alcohol supplements, it's worthwhile to understand what happens inside your body while you drink. The metabolism of alcohol occurs in three stages. 

As you consume an alcoholic beverage, ethanol (the alcohol you drink) is metabolized into acetaldehyde in your liver. Acetaldehyde is considered a toxic by-product that initiates oxidative stress, inflammation, and discomfort over the next day or two.

• Acetaldehyde → Acetate: Enzymes (example: ALDH2) can convert acetaldehyde into acetate, which is much less toxic.

• Elimination: Eventually, acetate is broken down into water and carbon dioxide and eliminated.

The buildup of acetaldehyde can overload the liver, leading to dehydration, sleep disturbances, and reduced energy levels the next day. Evidence from the NIH and Mayo Clinic showed that alcohol disrupts electrolyte balance, removes nutrients, and stresses detoxification pathways.

This is where pre-alcohol supplements can help. It's crucial to understand that these supplements are designed to support the body's recovery, not serve as a magic cure-all.

Enter the Pre-Alcohol Supplement: What They’re Designed to Do

A pre-alcohol drink is a functional beverage or supplement that is formulated to help you feel better the next morning. Unlike old tales, such as eating greasy food or ‘hair of the dog’, these drinks are designed to be taken before or while drinking to help:

• Support for healthy liver function.

• Replenish electrolytes that are lost while drinking because alcohol is a diuretic. 

These products do not ‘prevent’ hangovers, but instead help to replenish lost nutrients and rehydrate. 

Key Ingredients Often Found in Pre-Alcohol Supplements (For Educational Purposes Only)

Not all pre-alcohol supplements are the same. Here is a rundown of ingredients and their evidence-based function:

1. Dihydromyricetin (DHM)

• What it does: This flavonoid comes from the Japanese Raisin tree and has been studied for its potential to modify GABA receptors (which are affected by alcohol, leading to the ‘rebound effect’) and help liver enzyme function.

• Science: Studies have noted that DHM may speed the breakdown of acetaldehyde and potentially lessen the effects. That being said, it isn't a panacea, but it may help your liver a little bit.

2. Milk Thistle Extract (Silymarin)

• What It Does: The active ingredient, silymarin, found in Milk thistle, is a potent antioxidant that may help shield liver cells from oxidative stress.

• Science: The NIH validated milk thistle has been shown to increase liver enzyme production, therefore assisting the liver with healthy liver function. 

3. Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium)

• What They Do: Alcohol is a regular diuretic and frequently flushes electrolytes that are not only essential for hydration, but also for nerve function and muscle recovery. Intaking electrolytes replenishes the body’s required minerals. 

• Science: The Cleveland Clinic revealed that an imbalance in electrolytes can go a long way in accounting for next-day fatigue and headaches. Replenishing electrolytes in a non-symptomatic state provides real assistance to hydration levels.

4. B-Vitamins (B1, B6, B12)

• What They Do: Alcohol consumption will limit Vitamin B production in your body. B-vitamins are impactful for energy production, cognitive function, and cellular repair/production.  

• Science: Research has attributed deficiencies in B-vitamins (mostly B1) to increased degrees of exhaustion caused by alcohol consumption. Including B-vitamins in your before-drinking supplements will help replenish any B-vitamins needed in your system.
  

So, Can a Pre-Alcohol Drink Help Improve Your Morning?

The short answer is yes, but with caveats.  

• Timing: Seek out supplements that can be consumed before or while you're drinking to manage your health proactively.

• Clinically Studied: Products must be clinically studied to demonstrate evidence of effectiveness to help people feel better after a night of drinking/the next morning.  

• Expectations: These supplements are designed to mitigate the adverse effects of alcohol and not prevent them entirely. It's also advisable to eat a healthy meal, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep. 

All of these factors combined demonstrate potential in reducing next-day symptoms after drinking. Still, nothing can guarantee feeling 100% the next day after drinking.  

A Look at One Science-Backed Option: Morning Recovery