Evidence supporting the use of: Salt (unspecified)
For the health condition: Hangover
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Salt, in various forms, has a longstanding traditional use in addressing hangover symptoms, especially in the context of folk remedies and certain cultural practices. The rationale behind this use is often based on the belief that salt helps replenish electrolytes lost during excessive alcohol consumption, particularly due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Common remedies such as "oral rehydration solutions" or salty broths (like miso soup or bouillon) are sometimes recommended to alleviate hangover symptoms, and these practices are rooted more in tradition than in rigorous scientific research.
From a scientific standpoint, while dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can contribute to hangover symptoms, there is limited direct evidence that consuming salt specifically alleviates hangovers. Most hangover symptoms are caused by a combination of dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, acetaldehyde toxicity, and inflammatory responses. Salt intake may help restore sodium balance in cases where significant loss has occurred (e.g., from vomiting or excessive urination), but simply ingesting salt does not address the broader physiological effects of a hangover. Thus, while the traditional use of salt for hangovers persists in many cultures, scientific validation remains weak and the evidence supporting its efficacy is limited.
Other ingredients used for Hangover
applerice
turmeric
dandelion
ethanol
ginseng
L-ornithine
lemon
licorice root
Milk
Milk thistle
orange
pear
pineapple
quail egg
vitamin B6
seaweed
juniper berries
Morinda
peach
Algae
Alcohol
Achyranthes
blackthorn
bicarbonate
bitter grass
borassus palm
Camellia sinensis
cactus
Coconut Water
Cystine
dihydromyricetin
Horsemint
lime
Prickly Pear Cactus
Sete sangrias
Vinegar
Zedoary
Other health conditions supported by salt (unspecified)
Addison's DiseaseAthlete's Foot
Cholera
Cold Sores
Dehydration
Goiter
Hangover
Hypotension