DHM Supplement Might Help Prevent Alcohol Flush and Hangovers

DHM Supplement Might Help Prevent Alcohol Flush and Hangovers …C0NTINUE READING HERE >>>

Key Takeaways
DHM is a flavonoid that’s now being marketed as a hangover remedy.Early studies suggest DHM may protect against alcohol-related liver damage, but these studies haven’t been conducted in humans.DHM supplements have extremely low bioavailability, meaning your body may not absorb enough to experience true benefits.

Some TikTokers swear by a new hangover remedy called DHM (dihydromyricetin), a flavonoid found in several plants native to Asia.

DHM has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever, colds, parasite infections, liver diseases, and hangovers. Despite limited studies on its clinical benefits, DHM is making its way into Western supplements.

Jing Liang, MD, PhD, a research professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Pharmacy who has been studying DHM for over 15 years, said the compound is known as a good hangover remedy in Asia.

According to Liang’s research, DHM appears to reduce inflammation and protect against alcohol-induced liver damage, although none of the studies have been conducted in humans so far.

Liang’s research team also found that appropriate doses of DHM can modulate the activity of GABA receptors that regulate dopamine levels. This means DHM can stabilize GABAergic activity and prevent the excessive dopamine release that’s typically triggered by alcohol, which may reduce the rewarding effects of alcohol, mood swings, and potentially alcohol dependence.

How Does DHM Work as a Hangover Remedy?

When the body metabolizes alcohol, it creates a toxic compound called acetaldehyde. An enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde.

Around 36% of East Asians have a genetic variation that inactivates ALDH2, which makes them more susceptible to symptoms like facial flushing and headaches from alcohol consumption. DHM might be able to promote this alcohol-metabolizing enzyme and reduce acetaldehyde, according to a mice study conducted by Liang’s team.

However, DHM has extremely low bioavailability, meaning it’s hard for the body to absorb.

“When you take 100 grams of DHM, only 4% [is what your body can] absorb,” Liang said.

While DHM does exist in foods like blueberries, Liang said someone might need to eat more than 8,000 blueberries to feel the benefits.

Are DHM Supplements Safe?

The benefits of DHM are still unclear even though social media continues to market its potential, according to Grant Fowler, MD, chair of family medicine at the Texas Christian University Burnett School of Medicine.

Fowler said that critics of flavonoid research—such as studies claiming the health benefits of chocolate and red wine—say that the perceived benefits are often influenced by socioeconomic factors.

He added that many so-called “hangover cures,” like exercising and oxygen therapy, lack solid scientific evidence. However, DHM doesn’t appear to be unsafe, even though its effectiveness is unproven.

A more significant concern, Fowler said, is why someone would want to regularly drink alcohol to the point of experiencing a hangover

“It affects your sleep, that makes you feel awful, makes you fatigued after a bender,” Fowler said.

What This Means For You

DHM is gaining popularity as a hangover remedy, but its effectiveness remains unproven. While early research suggests it may help protect your liver and reduce the impact of alcohol, these findings are based on animal studies, not human trials.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: LiverTox. Dihydromyricetin.

Silva J, Yu X, Moradian R, et al. Dihydromyricetin protects the liver via changes in lipid metabolism and enhanced ethanol metabolism. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2020;44(5):1046-1060. doi:10.1111/acer.14326

Chang YC, Lee HL, Yang W, et al. A common East-Asian ALDH2 mutation causes metabolic disorders and the therapeutic effect of ALDH2 activators. Nat Commun. 2023;14(1):5971. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-41570-6

Carry E, Kshatriya D, Silva J, et al. Identification of dihydromyricetin and metabolites in serum and brain associated with acute anti-ethanol intoxicating effects in mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(14):7460. doi:10.3390/ijms22147460

By John Loeppky

John Loeppky is a freelance journalist based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, who has written about disability and health for outlets of all kinds.

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