HANG-OVER and Energy

Our research team found the ideal formula to tackle this problem.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin essential to the proper functioning of the human body. It plays a role in the synthesis of collagen, carnitine, and neurotransmitters. Most animals can synthesise it, but the human body cannot. [1]

Vitamin C enables the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and serotonin. These molecules, released by neurons, are essential for the brain to function properly, helping to improve cognition and fight stress and fatigue. [2]

Getting extra vitamin C will help limit the disruption to these neurotransmitters caused by drinking alcohol.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is one of the essential water-soluble vitamins. It's widely found in our diet. As a coenzyme, vitamin B6 is involved in around a hundred enzymatic reactions, in the biosynthesis of amino acids and neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline). It plays a key role in the body's energy metabolism network. [3]

Combining vitamins C and B6 helps support the biosynthesis of these neurotransmitters. Noradrenergic neurons (such as those of the locus coeruleus) provide continuous tonic discharge during wakefulness.[4]

Ginseng

Ginseng (panax ginseng) takes its name from the Latin word panacea, which literally translates to "a cure for all ills, and a source of longevity, physical strength, and endurance".

Ginseng is one of the celebrated plants used since antiquity, particularly in the East, where it's still traditionally consumed. Its many virtues and properties are attributed to the presence of ginsenosides, of which ginseng contains around forty variants.[5,6]

Ginseng has been shown to have beneficial effects on the central nervous system, particularly on cognitive functions, memory, and learning ability.[7,8] Ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 have been shown to improve cognitive function performance thanks to their tonic effect.[9,10,11]

Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale roscoe) is one of these natural products and is probably the most widely used in the world. The oleoresin from the rhizome is made up of 115 bioactive compounds. Gingerol appears to be the main component, although shogaols are also present.[12]

Ginger has been used since antiquity for its tonic properties, as it helps promote catecholamine secretion and so tone up the body.[13 This energy boost is much appreciated in the hours following heavy alcohol consumption.

Through its tonic effect, this combination encourages the secretion of the catecholamine adrenaline, which creates an energising effect.

Combining vitamins C and B6, ginger, and ginseng therefore helps reduce fatigue and maintain normal energy metabolism.

[1] Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). Muhammad Abdullah; Radia T. Jamil; Fibi N. Attia. Stats Pearls [Internet]. May 22, 2020.

[2] (Harrison, F. E. A critical review of vitamin C for the prevention of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers.Dis. 2012

[3] Parra M, Stahl S, Hellmann H. Vitamin B₆ and Its Role in Cell Metabolism and Physiology. Cells. 2018;7(7):84. Published 2018 Jul 22. doi:10.3390/cells7070084

[4] N. Anne-Claire, Pharmacologie du système noradrénergique. N 18 06 2019.

[5] Ernst E. Panax ginseng: an overview of the clinical evidence. Journal of Ginseng Research. 2010;34(4):259–263.

[6] Choi KT. Botanical characteristics, pharmacological effects and medicinal components of Korean Panax ginseng C A Meyer. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 2008;29(9):1109–1118.

[7] Attele AS, Wu JA, Yuan CS. Ginseng pharmacology: multiple constituents and multiple actions. Biochem Pharmacol. 1999;58:1685–93.

[8] Radad K, Gille G, Moldzio R, Saito H, Rausch WD. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 effects on mesencephalic dopaminergic cells stressed with glutamate. Brain Res. 2004;1021:41–53.

[9] Benishin CG, Lee R, Wang LC, Liu HJ. Effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on central cholinergic metabolism. Pharmacology. 1991;42:223–9.

[10] Yamaguchi Y, Haruta K, Kobayashi H. Effects of ginsenosides on impaired performance induced in the rat by scopolamine in a radial-arm maze. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1995;20:645–53.

[11] Mook-Jung I, Hong HS, Boo JH, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 improve spatial learning and increase hippocampal synaptophysin level in mice. J Neurosci Res. 2001;63:509–15.

[12] Jolad et al. 2005

[13] Iwasaki et al. 2006.