Hydrating Beer with Electrolytes May Reduce Hangovers
Beer fans might never have to deal with nasty hangovers again!
In Queensland, Australia at Griffith University's Health Institute, one of the oldest and most popular happy drinks for mankind is getting a makeover. The university's researchers, headed by Ben Desbrow, are adding electrolytes to beers.
According to Medline Plus, electrolytes are minerals in blood and other bodily fluids that affect the amount of water in the body, the acidity of blood, muscle function and other important processes. They are most commonly added to sports drinks to help athletes stay hydrated even after breaking out in sweat during sport competitions and other activities.
Beer contains alcohol, which is one of the most dehydrating foods around, says the Huffington Post. "Alcohol causes cells to shrink, which squeezes extra water out," says the report.
By adding electrolytes to beer, the researchers are hoping to reduce the negative effects beer has on the body. The great news is, the modification will not alter the taste of the drink, says United Press International.
In a statement released by Desbrow to News Medical, he said:
"We basically manipulated the electrolyte levels of two commercial beers, one regular strength and one light beer and gave it to research subjects who'd just lost a significant amount of sweat by exercising. We then used several measures to monitor the participant's fluid recovery to the different beers."
"Of the four different beers the subjects consumed, our augmented light beer was by far the most well retained by the body, meaning it was the most effective at rehydrating the subjects."
The modified light beer was found out to be one third more effective in hydrating drinkers compared to normal unaltered beer. This "hydrating property" might be able to help prevent hangover incidents which are primarily caused by dehydration, says Huffington Post.
The hydrating beer research is still ongoing, so it will take a while before these refreshing beers finally hit the shelves.