From the Research
Lemon with alcohol does not significantly reduce hangovers, and the most effective way to prevent a hangover is to drink moderately or abstain from alcohol entirely. While some people believe that adding lemon to alcoholic drinks helps prevent hangovers, there is no scientific evidence supporting this claim. Hangovers are primarily caused by dehydration, inflammation, and the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism, particularly acetaldehyde. The small amount of vitamin C in lemon juice is insufficient to counteract these effects.
Some studies have investigated the effectiveness of various interventions in reducing hangover symptoms. For example, a systematic review published in 2017 found that certain products, such as polysaccharide rich extract of Acanthopanax senticosus, red ginseng antihangover drink, Korean pear juice, KSS formula, and the After-Effect, were associated with a significant improvement of hangover symptoms 1. However, none of these methods were effective for all symptoms, and further research is necessary to develop clinically effective hangover treatments.
More effective hangover prevention strategies include:
- Drinking water between alcoholic beverages
- Consuming food before drinking
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Avoiding darker alcoholic beverages which contain more congeners (substances that contribute to hangovers)
If you're already experiencing a hangover, hydration, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (400mg every 6-8 hours as needed) may help alleviate symptoms, but time is ultimately the most effective remedy. Other studies have also highlighted the importance of understanding the pathology of alcohol hangover in order to develop effective treatments 2, 3. Additionally, some research has suggested that minerals such as selenium, zinc, copper, vanadium, iron, and magnesium may play a role in managing alcohol hangover, although further studies are needed to confirm this 4.