SCIENTISTS IN AUSTRALIA have stumbled upon findings that show pears have many wonderful powers – they can lower cholesterol, relieve constipation and (AND!) lower blood alcohol levels.

Professor Manny Noakes, lead researcher on the CSIRO project said studies have only investigated the Korean pear which has long been used as a traditional hangover remedy.

“It appears that the factors in Korean pears act on the key enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to speed up alcohol metabolism and elimination or inhibition of alcohol absorption,” he explained.

“In particular, reductions were seen in blood acetaldehyde levels, the toxic metabolic thought to be responsible for the hangover symptoms, with pear juice consumption.”

In the study overall hangover severity was significantly reduced in the Korean pear group compared to those having a placebo drink, with the most pronounced effect being on the person’s ability to concentrate.

If you are thinking of guzzling gallons of pear juice the morning after a big night, think again. Noakes said it will only work if the pear juice is consumed before the alcohol so you need to plan ahead.

However he also pointed out that the best way not to get a hangover is not to drink copious amounts of alcohol in the first place.

The team now plans to deliver a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on pears, their components and any relevant health measures.

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