For A Doubting Thomas: Here's the science.

How Do Hangovers Happen?

There are multiple cited physiological factors that can contribute to a hangover that include but are not limited to: alcohol withdrawal effects, toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolization, and different congeners present in alcohol. Our proprietary blend of herbal ingredients centered around Hovenia Dulcis focuses on combating the unpleasant symptoms of a hangover by supplementing your body while you drink and after the complete metabolization of alcohol.[1]

 

Consumed alcohol is metabolized into acetaldehyde—a known carcinogen— by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), cytochrome P450E1, and catalase. The resulting acetaldehyde is oxidized (metabolized) by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to a less active acetate that our bodies can easily breakdown and dispose of as water and carbon dioxide.[2] But it is in this two-step process where our hangover culprit exists.

 

High concentrations of acetaldehyde within our bodies can have toxic effects, characteristic of a hangover, that need to be metabolized and safely disposed of.[3] And now, I bet you’re wondering, how can Upside help beat human biology? Simple. Hovenia Dulcis with the admixture of 10 different herbal ingredients are the powerhouse to help alleviate hangover symptoms.

 

How Hovenia Dulcis Can Help You.

Researchers discovered that Hovenia Dulcis does an excellent job promoting the clearance of alcohol. It does so by enhancing the activity of ALDH to quickly metabolize the acetaldehyde in our liver and blood for safe disposal.[4] Reducing blood acetaldehyde level and prolonged exposure means reducing total hangover symptoms! [1]

 

Additionally, Hovenia Dulcis plays an important role increasing our bodies anti-inflammatory mechanisms to deter the toxicity of alcohol. Our body naturally produces more anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 when we are out of our homeostatic state. This also happens naturally when we metabolize alcohol, but with Hovenia Dulcis, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 production increases significantly. As a result, there is also a reduction in the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 to bring our body back to homeostasis.

 

The effects of Hovenia Dulcis help our body’s homeostatic regulation of inflammatory response and promote accelerated oxidation—reducing the severity of hangover symptoms.[1]

 

What About the Mental Hangovers I Experience?

Alcohol can affect your central nervous system even if you have less than three drinks. The feeling of anxiety, sleepiness, and lack of concentration are the result of our brain counteracting the ingested alcohol. Alcohol is an indirect GABA agonist that binds and activates our GABA receptors which play a vital role regulating our feeling of sleepiness and relaxation. Alcohol tricks the brain to cause an imbalance of GABA, leading to a potent rebound once the alcohol has left our body.

 

The flavonoid compound dihydromyricetin, isolated from Hovenia Dulcis, is the key to help us mitigate alcohols depressant nature on our central nervous system. Dihydromyricetin is a natural GABA receptor agonist and fights at the cellular level to inhibit alcohol from binding onto our GABA receptors.[4][5][6] The combination of actions helps limit alcohol’s cellular interference while simultaneously accelerating its metabolization.

 

 

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874116321328?via%3Dihub
  2. https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa72/aa72.htm
  3. https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-1/54-60.pdf
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4125717/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3292407/
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5602609/

    South Koreans are pioneers in tech and innovation and consume more alcohol per capita than any other nation. So it’s no surprise that Korea is also the birthplace of modern hangover remedies.

    We developed Upside in partnership with Korea's leading supplement producer. Our unique formula draws from over 30 years of R&D and herbal ingredients that have been used for generations.

    What's Inside?

    • Hovenia Dulcis

      A 2017 study in Korea found that people who ingested Hovenia Dulcis extract experienced less severe hangover symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue compared to a control group.

    • Hardy Orange

      Contains a number of medically active constituents. Used in the treatment of constipation, abdominal muscle cramps, and chest pains.

    • Kudzu

      Used in Korean herbal medicines to treat alcoholism and to reduce hangover symptoms such as headaches, nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, vomiting.

    • Poria Mushroom

      Many Koreans drink tea made from Poria Mushroom in the afternoon to improve kidney function, lower cholesterol and improve the immune system.

    • Chinese Cinnamon

      Has a long history in Korean culture where it is commonly used to fight indigestion, reduce spasms, gas, stimulate appetite and fight bacteria.

    • Wolfberry

      Contains Vitamin A, C, and E and produces an antioxidant effect in humans. Also increases the metabolic rate to help break down alcohol and reduce hangover symptoms.

    • Black Cardamom

      Has been shown to lower blood pressure and manage blood sugar thanks to its high concentration of magnesium levels.

    • Satsuma Mandarin

      The peel is traditionally used used to treat common colds and as a stimulant to relieve the exhaustion felt after a heavy night of drinking.

    • Ginger Root

      Used for over 1,000 years by Korean, Indian and Greek cultures. Offers many health benefits related to its digestive, carminative, and anti-inflammatory properties.

    • Honeysuckle

      Provides anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties which are helpful in the treatment of severe headaches.

    • Sickle Senna

      Tea made from the leaves, flowers and fruits have been used in China for centuries as a stimulant.

    • Liquorice

      A natural antacid that helps to relieve heartburn, indigestion, gastric and stomach ulcers. Commonly sold as “hangover tea” in South Korea.