Can Korean Pear Juice Prevent Hangovers? RDs Know In

Listen to what a retired party animal says: There’s nothing worse than waking up the morning after a fun, hazy night with double the guilt and the spider.

Since I became sober-curious about a year ago, I’ve been saving the tequila sodas for more special occasions, but I have plenty of friends who still drink on the regular. So when I heard that Korean pear juice can supposedly help prevent hangovers, I had to get my hands on some—and, well, give it to said friends.

Meet Brett, 26: He drinks alcohol almost every weekend and gets really bad hangovers, the kind that make your head feel like Humpty Dumpty fell off a hill (his words, not mine). Brett enthusiastically volunteered to be my guinea pig and try Korean pear juice before a night out, hoping it would ease the aftermath.

But before we look at the results of this little experiment, let’s dive into what exactly Korean pear juice is and why it’s marketed as a hangover preventer.

What is Korean pear juice?

Korean pear juice is made from Korean pears, also called Asian pears, which have a firmer, apple-like texture compared to the pear varieties found in most supermarkets.

“Unlike the more commonly known European or American pear juices, which can be quite thick and syrupy, Korean pear juice tends to be lighter and crisper, just like the fruit itself,” says dietitian Lauren Manaker, RDN“This specific texture makes the juice more hydrating and less acidic.”

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Brett likened the pear juice to a fruity sports drink. “I would consider drinking it on a hot day or after a workout,” he said.

In terms of nutritional value, however, pear juice does not seem to outperform tried-and-true sports drinks, which contain much-needed electrolytes. “Pear Juice is a source of hydration, but it lacks essential electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, which can be severely depleted after alcohol consumption,” says Claire Rifkin, MS, RDN, a New York-based women’s health dietitian and founder of the private telehealth practice Claire Rifkin Nutrition. FYI, dDehydration causes an electrolyte imbalance, which can contribute to the dreaded headaches and dizziness after a night of drinking.

What the science says

It turns out that all the fuss about Korean pear juice helping prevent hangovers is based on one very small study.

In an August 2013 study published in Food and chemical toxicology, 14 young men drank alcohol 30 minutes after consuming Korean pear juice or a placebo drink. Those who drank the pear juice appeared to have less severe hangover symptoms than those who drank the placebo drink, especially in those with certain genotypes. Additionally, the pear juice appeared to help lower participants’ blood alcohol levels. The researchers attribute this to the natural enzymes and antioxidants in the pear juice, which help metabolize alcohol.

In addition to this small human study, there are several limited research In rats, Korean pear juice was shown to increase alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the enzyme that breaks down alcohol, and lower blood alcohol levels.

Given these results, it stands to reason that a glass of Korean pear juice as a preventative measure could result in a milder hangover the next day, right? Not so fast. You’re going to want to take these results like you would a tequila shot: with a lot of of salt.

Can Korean Pear Juice Prevent Hangovers?

“I think I died and went to hell,” Brett texted in the group chat on Sunday. Spoiler: Korean pear juice didn’t work for Brett.

Brett tried the juice multiple times before drinking alcohol. The specific brand he tested, Bae Juice, instructs you to drink it before your first alcoholic beverage. But alas, the pear juice was no match for multiple rounds of beer, seltzers, and Irish car bombs.

The next day, Brett experienced his usual hangover symptoms: headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, but there were no noticeable differences.

In short

If you like to drink pear juice before gaming, that’s probably fine. “But I wouldn’t consume this product thinking it’s going to prevent your hangover or allow you to drink more alcohol than you would if you hadn’t consumed it,” says Rifkin.

Your best option: Try more reliable hangover-prevention methods, such as eating a full meal before a night of drinking, limiting your alcohol intake and alternating one alcoholic drink with one full glass of water, Rifkin advises.

As for Brett, it’s safe to say Bae Juice isn’t his perpetually drinking sweetheart.