The search for cures to alcohol hangovers is almost as old as alcohol itself. Alternative medicine offers countless suggestions for mitigating the effects of the ‘green monster’ on the body, and pharmacies sell products that promise to prevent hangovers or treat alcohol poisoning. But many of those remedies—both folk and pharmaceutical—lack strong evidence.
Right now, social media is full of the idea that taking one or two tablespoons of olive oil before a night of drinking will prevent a hangover. The logic: olive oil coats the stomach, slows alcohol absorption, and therefore reduces hangover symptoms.
That sounds appealing, but the claim doesn’t have solid scientific backing, says Justin Stebbing, a professor of biomedical sciences at Anglia Ruskin University in the UK.
Why This Remedy Isn’t Perfect
Bloggers say olive oil creates a coating on the stomach lining that slows alcohol absorption into the bloodstream and helps avoid a hangover. While fatty foods can slow alcohol absorption to some degree, the effectiveness of this trick is limited, says Professor Stebbing.
Alcohol is mainly absorbed in the small intestine; only about 20 percent of alcohol is absorbed in the stomach. That means even if olive oil delays alcohol’s initial impact in the stomach, most of the alcohol will still be absorbed later during digestion. Meanwhile, the liver metabolizes alcohol using enzymes, and that metabolic process drives hangover symptoms such as dehydration, headaches, and nausea. Olive oil does not interfere with that metabolism enough to meaningfully affect hangover intensity.
So while the oil might delay absorption slightly, it is not a comprehensive solution.
A better approach to preventing hangovers focuses on hydration, nutrition, and moderation. Instead of relying on olive oil, try a few proven methods.
Hydration
Dehydration contributes to hangovers. Drink water before, during, and after drinking to help maintain hydration and reduce the severity of a hangover.
Nutrition
Eat a balanced meal before drinking — it slows alcohol absorption far more effectively than a spoonful of olive oil. Choose foods rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates, and eat fruits and vegetables afterward to help your body recover.
Moderation in Alcohol Consumption
The most reliable way to avoid a hangover is to drink in moderation. Set personal limits and control your alcohol intake to greatly reduce your risk of a hangover.
What about people who swear olive oil works for them? Professor Stebbing says those anecdotes are often the placebo effect. A strong belief that a remedy will help can sometimes lead to a real improvement in how someone feels, Science Alert reported.
So while taking a shot of olive oil before drinking is a simple, appealing idea, it lacks dependable scientific support.
