Question

an unfortunate effect of drinking too much alcohol, known as a hangover, is attributable to the acetaldehyde formed when ethanol is oxidized. there is some evidence that vitamin b1 can cure a hangover. how can the vitamin do this? Can I see a mechanism

Answer 1

Because alcohol is a diuretic, loss of a lot of vitamins and nutrients during a night. The most important of which are vitamins B and C. Those people that use a vitamin B complex a pill that includes B₁ (thiamine), B₂ (riboflavin), folic acid, B₆ and B₁₂, among others to combat hangovers swear by their effectiveness. The most heralded is B₁₂ (also called cobalamin), which performs a key role in the functioning of the brain and nervous system. We do know that drinking leads to vitamin depletion and in particular to the depletion of thiamine aka B1. A shortage of vitamin B1 can lead to permanent brain damage in the form of wernicke-korsakoff syndrome aka wet brain aka beri beri. While there isn't much science proving the effectiveness of this method, the extra vitamins shouldn't do you any harm. Taking one vitamin complex before drinking and one the next morning with some food is suggestible.