In September 2013, a study published in the journal Food and Function explored how different beverages might influence the body’s ability to recover from alcohol consumption.
Instead of looking at hydration or sugar content, the researchers focused on the biochemical processes that occur as the body breaks down alcohol. Their findings drew unusual attention because one drink in particular stood out: Sprite.
According to the study, this lemon-lime soda appeared to speed up certain metabolic steps involved in processing alcohol, suggesting it could potentially reduce the duration of hangover symptoms.
How Alcohol Causes Hangovers
When someone consumes alcohol, the body works to break it down through a two-step process. First, enzymes convert ethanol into acetaldehyde, a compound far more toxic than alcohol itself.
Acetaldehyde is responsible for many hangover symptoms: headaches, nausea, fatigue, and a general sense of malaise. Next, another enzyme converts acetaldehyde into acetate, a far less harmful substance that the body can eliminate more easily.
A hangover often lingers when acetaldehyde remains in the system for too long. The study investigated various drinks to see how they affected the speed of these biochemical reactions.
Why Sprite Stood Out
Researchers tested a wide variety of teas, sodas, and herbal drinks commonly consumed in China. Each beverage was evaluated for its effect on the enzymes involved in metabolizing alcohol.
The surprising result was that Sprite seemed to accelerate the conversion of acetaldehyde into acetate.
In other words, it sped up the step responsible for clearing the toxic compound from the body. By encouraging faster acetaldehyde breakdown, Sprite theoretically reduced the intensity and duration of hangover symptoms.
The study contrasted this with herbal teas such as Huo ma ren tea, which slowed down the same process and could theoretically prolong hangover effects.
Interpreting the Findings Carefully
Because the study took place in a laboratory rather than with human subjects, its conclusions need to be interpreted with caution.
The research measured the activity of enzymes and chemical reactions outside the body, which does not always match what would happen in a living person with a complex metabolism.
While the results provide interesting insights, they do not prove that drinking Sprite will reliably cure a hangover. Nutritionists and medical professionals emphasize that hydration, rest, and moderation remain the most dependable strategies for avoiding or easing hangover symptoms.
Why the Claim Become So Popular
Despite the study’s limitations, the notion of a familiar soft drink helping with hangovers was irresistible to the public. The results quickly circulated across news outlets and social media.
Part of the appeal came from the simplicity of the idea: rather than relying on herbal remedies, expensive supplements, or unverified advice, the proposed solution was a common beverage available worldwide.
Sprite’s mild flavor and high sugar content also make it a drink many people already reach for when feeling unwell, reinforcing the perception that it might offer relief.
How Sprite Might Help Beyond the Study’s Result
Even if the effects suggested by the Food and Function paper do not translate perfectly to real-life scenarios, Sprite may still offer indirect benefits to someone experiencing a hangover.
The drink provides quick carbohydrates, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels often disrupted by alcohol consumption. Its carbonation and mild citrus flavor may make it easier to sip when nauseated.
Additionally, although it does not hydrate as effectively as water, the fluid intake itself can help counter the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
These supportive qualities do not make Sprite a scientifically proven cure, but they may contribute to why some people find it soothing during recovery.
Still, Drink Responsibly
While the 2013 findings add an interesting perspective to the conversation about hangovers, they should not be taken as a reason to consume alcohol irresponsibly. No soft drink, Sprite included, can prevent the physical stress that alcohol places on the body.
The only guaranteed way to avoid a hangover is to drink moderately or abstain altogether. For those who do choose to drink, alternating alcoholic beverages with water, eating before and during consumption, and allowing the body adequate rest remain the most reliable strategies.
