Came across this yesterday. Sprite as a hangover cure? Sure.
But yet, there’s actual science behind this claim.
Some of the adverse effects of alcohol are thought to be caused, not by the ethanol itself, but by ethanol’s first metabolite, acetaldehyde. Ethanol is metabolised into acetaldehyde by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and then into acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Unlike acetaldehyde, acetate is innocuous and may even be responsible for some of the positive health benefits of alcohol consumption. Therefore the key to reducing alcohol-related damage lies in minimising the amount of time acetaldehyde is present in the body.
And that’s where Sprite comes in. The combination of ingredients in Sprite turn out to be perfect for converting acetaldehyde into acetate.
Now, before you pooh-pooh all this, note that these findings were published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. So next time you hoist one too many, be sure you’ve got an emergency can of Sprite around, just in case.
Ugh, Sprite. Why couldn’t it have been tonic water?
I have a really good hangover cure, it’s called Sobriety and it works
“In contrast, some of the drinks markedly increased ALDH activity, thus promoting the rapid break-down of acetaldehyde and could minimise the harmful effects of drinking alcohol. Among these drinks were Xue bi and Hui yi su da shui, carbonated drinks known in English as Sprite and soda water, respectively.”
Soda water was listed as well. I agree, I don’t drink any soda anymore.
I think I am being too polite here for a reply on the internet though. Let me try again.
Hey buddy, maybe if you actually took the time to read the linked article you would have seen soda water was mentioned. Read much?
I did read the excerpt provided above as an anecdotal part of my day, and responded in kind. Dave’s abstract mentions Sprite, which sounded funny to me. I don’t click through every linked article that’s posted here.
I read more than some people, less than others. What’s your basis of comparison?
I think you were being just about as polite as your upbringing, the solitude of a keyboard, and your current mood make possible.
Ah sorry, I was being sarcastic. No idiot was intended at all, none. I was relying as I often see other rude people doing online. You misunderstood. Which, considering the aforementioned and to often rude posters, is certainly understandable. I thought by saying “I think I am being to polite for the internet” that you would see my reply was tongue in cheek and in jest.
Let me make something perfectly clear. I do not ever say anything online that I would not say to someone in person.
That being said, it is also often difficult to convey something I intended to be funny through words. For that I do aplogise.
One good thing though, we don’t have to drink sprite. : )
My mistake. I misunderstand such intent far too easily without sarcasm tags, both here and elsewhere. And I’m probably far more guilty of conveying the wrong impression to others.
Agreed about Sprite. That’s a bit like saying the cure for AIDS means a diet consisting solely of marshmallow peeps.
I feel as though I’ve stumbled across the gentlemen’s parlour room of the Internet. Thanks to both of you for brightening my day a little.
That approach has many of its own negative side-effects.
So would you say that my whisky and soda ‘for the road’ is beneficial to my health and well-being? 🙂
I think, for the most part at least, that genes are the deciding and overruling factor in most cases. I say.. drink up. In moderation of course. ; )
Good heavens, my flask is empty. Pardon me, sirs.
Like being boring…
Yes I can see that especially if one has an aversion to reality