Oats (Avena sativa) are gluten-free whole grains made into oatmeal, a popular breakfast food typically consumed for weight management. In a novel study, researchers from India suggest eating oats as hangover food to help prevent liver damage brought about by alcohol consumption.
Because the protective effect of oats on acute liver injury is not yet fully understood, the researchers looked at the effect of oat extract in protecting against acute liver injury brought about by alcohol intake in a mouse model. In conducting the study, the researchers pretreated mice with phenolic-enriched ethyl acetate fraction of oats at doses of 125 and 250 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) each day for 12 consecutive days. Then, they induced acute liver injury by administering five doses of 50 percent ethanol or 10 grams per kg (g/kg) body weight to mice every 12 hours. After that, the team measured the alcohol-induced liver injury through different parameters.
The results revealed that pretreatment with the oat extract at 250 mg/kg dramatically decreased the levels of liver injury markers. In addition, it substantially increased the levels of antioxidant activities and prevented inflammation. Based on these findings, which were published in the journal Nutrition Research, the researchers concluded that oats can potentially be used as a dietary intervention to protect against liver damage caused by alcohol intake.
Oats are also packed with vitamins and nutrients, such as B vitamins, calcium, iron, and magnesium, which can help the body replace vitamins and nutrients that are lost when drinking alcohol. In addition, oats can help neutralize acidity levels in the body, absorb toxins, and gradually raise blood sugar levels. Moreover, the complex carbs in oats can help improve mood and reduce the feeling of fatigue, helping to reduce the severity of a hangover.
