New Years Wishes -- and a Cure for Hangover?

[deluxestogie]

I wish the new year brings a modicum of joy to all of you. I doubt that any forum member is inclined to consume alcohol in excess...but...

This interesting article by the BBC explores the "magical cure" of drinking pickle juice for hangover: http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20181218-turkeys-magical-hangover-cure

[If you are too busy or too lazy to read the article, you slug down one glass of pickle juice the day after consuming too much booze, if you feel a hangover.]

The use of pickle juice for the dehydration of athletic exertion has been documented, and its effectiveness is likely due to the replenishment of electrolytes lost in sweat. Perhaps a beneficial effect on alcohol hangover is due to a similar replenishment of electrolytes lost. Dehydration is one impact of alcohol consumption. And with increased urine production, electrolytes must follow along.

Be safe. Think about pickle juice.

Bob

 

[Charly]

I wish everyone to have some good time this evening !

Good find Bob with this "miraculous pickle juice" ! (I confess I might need it tomorrow !)

 

[Jitterbugdude]

Bob, The verdict is still out on how pickle juice effects it's cure. It is probably not via electrolyte replenishment. Several studies have been investigated in the past and electrolyte replacement doesn't pan out. I have personal experience with pickle juice. I usually eat low carb (but fall off the wagon quite often and binge on junk) in conjuction with fasting. This oftentimes puts me in to a pretty good state of ketosis ( 3-5 mmol/l..and I am not diabetic by the way). I also supplement with magnesium and a gram or 2 of salt per day ( ketosis rapidly depletes sodium stores). Occasionally I will get severe leg cramps during the night. On the few times I've taken pickle juice the cramps have been eliminated with about 30 seconds!... amazing.. and way too quick for elcetrolyte replacement to work. I do vaguely remember reading an article that some researchers traced pickle juice's effect on the direct action of certain muscle fibers... but my mind is too vague to recall more.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2742453/

When I used to drink to excess ( college days) I usually consumed a few grams of Vit C ( as sodium ascorbate) and about a gram of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC). The combo was almost 100% effective at preventing hangovers. I can't remeber the physics/chemistry behind it but I seem to recall the main reason for a an alcohol induced hangover is because ethanol is rapidly converted to acetaldehyde (a very toxic chemical) in the liver. It is this acetaldehyde that is toxic thus causing the hangover. Interesting to note too that NAC has the ability to raise Glutathione levels so well that it is still the treatment of choice in hospitals to reverse Ibuprofen overdose.

 

[deluxestogie]

Good points, JBD. Of course, there is pickle juice and there is pickle juice:

• lemon juice and salt
• salt brine
• vinegar and salt

plus the various added veggies and spices: garlic, dill, mustard, black pepper, chili pepper, etc.

Does Vlasic juice have the same impact as Clausen juice? Or the brine from a jar of grape leaves?

Bob

 

[deluxestogie]

Okay, Hold the Pickle Juice!

"Various other treatments suggested by folklore include a breakfast of pickled herrings, a fried canary (thanks, Romans)..."
The entire article is interesting in its amusing collection of remedies.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20181224-no-you-cant-eat-your-way-out-of-a-hangover

The punchline is, "Treating the symptoms with rest, water, and aspirin is likely to be the best treatment for some time to come."

And I'll add a suitable image, though from an entirely different story:

Bob

 

[Charly]

Arf..... that's a sad news.... well... let's hope we have some aspirin

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

"Various other treatments suggested by folklore include
Bob

Stick needles in Shuai Gu, and Fenglong, and twirl them until you don't like it.

 

[deluxestogie]

Are you seriously saying that's better than fried canary?

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Are you seriously saying that's better than fried canary?

Bob

I've never eaten fried canary while hungover. However, if I was to, I would let the canary cool to room temperature and garnish with mint. After all, we are trying to drain excess damp-heat.

 

[deluxestogie]

trying to drain excess damp-heat

Like a frost-free refrigerator? Or maybe an outdoor toilet in winter?

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Like a frost-free refrigerator? Or maybe an outdoor toilet in winter?

Bob

These are examples of very cold things. While I highly endorse the toilet, I do not recommend the outdoors, and fridge. Both leave you at risk of wind invasion, and if left too long in the cold (and wind), your accumulated dampness could turn into phlegm.

 

[deluxestogie]

Wow! Way over my damp, warm head.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Wow! Way over my damp, warm head.

Bob

It's the ultimate example of taking a metaphor too far.

 

[deluxestogie]

And I worried that my elaborating on the phlegm metaphor might be risky.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

And I worried that my elaborating on the phlegm metaphor might be risky.

Bob

Oh. I was referring to TCM itself as being the metaphor taken too far.

 

[burge]

Happy New Year don't get yourself in a pickle.

 

[deluxestogie]

Like awakening from anesthesia, it's suddenly a whole new year. And I feel pretty good for feeling so crummy. No hangover here. I didn't party at all last night. I've got an honest cold. Where's that pickle juice?

The cows across the road, lazily grazing on the meager offerings of a winter pasture, are assuming the grass will never be any greener than it is in January--not very imaginative. ...but maybe on the other side of the hill... They still look forward to a good moo year.

Bob