Is olive oil the new cure for a hangover? | Food-wine News

Step aside, canned soup, there’s a new cure for hangover in town, and it’s apparently olive oil.

Who doesn’t love a good night out? If you’ve ever experienced waking up to nausea, vomiting or simply a bad hair day after a fun night out, you’re probably familiar with the dreaded ‘hangover’. If you’re seeking answers on how to deal with this common aftermath, read on!

Everyone loves a good hack, but can this one be it? In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, music producer Benny Blanco revealed his recent discovery of a quick fix to prevent a hangover — a shot of olive oil before a glass of your favourite drink.

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What are the benefits of olive oil?

The belief that olive oil may slow down alcohol consumption stems from its antioxidant content.

Sushma PS, Chief Dietician, Jindal Naturecure Institute, explains how olive oil is renowned for its health benefits: “Rich in monounsaturated fats, it helps reduce bad cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of heart disease.”

Its high antioxidant content, including vitamin E and polyphenols, combats oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to chronic diseases. Olive oil also contains anti-inflammatory compounds like oleocanthal, which may have similar effects to ibuprofen. Consuming olive oil has been associated with improved blood sugar control, beneficial for diabetes management.

The belief that olive oil may slow down alcohol consumption stems from its antioxidant content. (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Additionally, it supports brain health and may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Integrating olive oil into a balanced diet can thus promote overall health and longevity.

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“It is also highly beneficial for cardiovascular health,” Sushma adds. Its rich content of monounsaturated fats helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol while maintaining or even increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

But why am I even hungover? You’ve probably asked this to yourself, even after a seemingly ‘easy’ night. The things is, when consumed in excessive amounts, alcohol has the tendency to be broken down into various compounds that produce symptoms related to a hangover, taking your body almost 24 hours before being converted into less injurious byproducts.

This week, try taking a shot of olive oil before a drink. It might just help!