New Ice Cream Bar Promises to Cure Your Hangover

One of the hardest drinking countries in the world, South Korea, has a new hangover cure — but it might give the user a brain freeze. Reuters reports that a South Korean chain of convenience stores has launched a special ice cream bar designed to sooth the after effects of a night of heavy boozing.

The Gyeondyo-bar, which roughly translates to “hang in there,” hit shelves on Friday. Drinking is a major part of work life in South Korea and clever marketers have grown hangover cures into a big business in the nation.

By some estimates the hangover cure industry in South Korea rakes in $126 million annually, slinging everything from pills to hangover soup remedies. According to The Washington Post, the ice cream bars contain oriental raisin tree fruit extract and grapefruit flavor.

The raisin tree fruit is a traditional hangover cure that dates back to the 17th century. Since the dawn of fermentation, humans have been looking for ways to cure their post-drinking ills.

Some of the earliest documented hangover cures were recorded by the ancient Egyptians who suggested making a garland out of the chamaedaphne shrub. The only true defense to a hangover is not to drink at all, but in the event that you do experience one, studies show that aspirin, water, greasy food, coffee, and even burnt toast can be effective at combating the symptoms.

Source: Eater