Anyone who’s seen Shaun of the Dead knows the urban legend, ice cream cures hangovers, but someone’s managed to make the myth come true.
In South Korea, a shop has launched the Gyeondyo-bar – an ice cream sandwich which allegedly has the power to combat the after-effects of even the messiest of nights out, Reuters reports.
The Gyeondyo-bar, which translates to ‘hang in there’, is grapefruit flavoured and contains a tiny amount of ‘oriental raisin tree fruit juice’ – a traditional Korean hangover remedy which has been used for hundreds of years.
Don’t go thinking this is just some old wives tale though, according to the Journal of Neuroscience, oriental raisin tree extract has been observed to reduce the symptoms of intoxication in rats.
If you should trust anyone to come up with a hangover cure, then it’s the South Koreans, because drinking is a big deal in their country – even bigger than it’s here in the UK.
For context, the country has the highest per capita booze consumption rate in Asia – the average South Korean drinks 12.3 litres of alcohol annually compared to the British average, which is 9.5 litres.
Unsurprisingly, for a nation who like to live it large, the South Korean people spend an awful lot of money on hangover cures, roughly $126 million each year.
The most popular remedy is Hut-Gae Condition, a drink that’s been manufactured in South Korea since the Seventies and supposedly fights the worst symptoms from a night of revelry.
Hut-Gae Condition’s made from lotus extract, milk vetch root and glutathione – an antioxidant thought to detoxify the liver, as well as a 30 per cent blend of raisin tree fruit juice.
Again, the drinks healing properties aren’t anecdotal nonsense either, the Journal of Medicine found glutathione-enriched yeast could decrease the amount of acetaldehyde – the chemical responsible for hangovers in the liver.
Unfortunately, it seems neither Hut-Gae Condition or the Gyeondyo-bar will be available in the UK anytime soon so you’ll have to stick to a more traditional hangover cure.
Or if you’re feeling brave you could always try Fergus Henderson’s tried and tested method of blowing away the cobwebs after a big night, Fernet-Branca.
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For those unaware Fernet-Branca is an alcoholic drink made from spices and herbs that tastes like a super bitter Jagermeister.
Fergus claims when you mix it with crème de menthe and ice, you get the ultimate drink for ‘hair of the dog’.
Think we’ll take his word from it and stick to a Gregg’s bacon sandwich…
If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 for advice and support.
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.