Hangover Supplement Comparison 2026: ZBiotics vs Cheers vs Ovi and More

The supplement market is flooded with hangover prevention products, each claiming to be the ultimate solution. But which supplements actually work? Which are worth your money? This comprehensive comparison examines the evidence behind the most popular hangover supplement ingredients.

Understanding what each supplement does—and what the science actually says about effectiveness—helps you make informed decisions about hangover prevention. Some ingredients have solid research backing; others are largely marketing hype.

Glutathione: Your Most Important Antioxidant

Glutathione is your body’s master antioxidant and arguably the most important supplement for hangover prevention. This tripeptide (made of three amino acids: glutamine, cysteine, and glycine) is produced naturally in your body, but production declines with age and depletes during alcohol metabolism.

How it works: Glutathione directly neutralizes acetaldehyde, the toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. It also supports your liver’s Phase II detoxification pathways, helping convert acetaldehyde into safer compounds. Additionally, glutathione protects your cells from oxidative stress and supports your immune system.

The evidence: Numerous studies demonstrate that boosting glutathione levels reduces hangover severity. The challenge is that regular glutathione supplements have poor absorption—standard oral glutathione might only be 5-10% bioavailable. This is why liposomal glutathione (encapsulated in fat-soluble phospholipid bubbles) has become the preferred form, offering absorption rates of 50% or higher.

The bottom line: Glutathione is genuinely effective, but absorption matters enormously. Standard glutathione supplements are largely a waste of money; liposomal glutathione is worth the extra cost.

NAD+: The Cellular Energy Molecule

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme crucial for cellular energy production and metabolic function. Alcohol metabolism depletes NAD+ dramatically, and NAD+ naturally declines with age.

How it works: Restoring NAD+ levels after drinking helps your cells produce energy more efficiently, supports mitochondrial function, and enables proper cellular repair. It also helps restore glutathione production, which is NAD+-dependent.

The evidence: Research shows that low NAD+ levels are a significant factor in hangover severity, particularly the fatigue and weakness components. Supplementing with NAD+ precursors like NR (nicotinamide riboside) or NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) can help restore energy levels.

The challenge: NAD+ supplementation is relatively expensive and the quality varies significantly between brands. Additionally, the evidence is strongest for chronic NAD+ supplementation rather than single-dose supplementation around drinking.

The bottom line: NAD+ restoration is important for hangover recovery, but might not be necessary for everyone. Those experiencing severe fatigue and energy depletion will benefit most.

DHM (Dihydromyricetin): The Plant Compound from Hovenia

DHM is an active flavonoid from the fruit of Hovenia dulcis (Asian raisin tree). It’s become increasingly popular in hangover prevention products, particularly in pill form.

How it works: DHM appears to speed up alcohol metabolism and may help reduce some hangover symptoms. It acts as an antioxidant and has some anti-inflammatory properties. Some research suggests it may protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage.

The evidence: While DHM shows promise in some studies, the research is still limited and many studies have been conducted in animals or in vitro. The human studies show modest benefits at best. Some people report significant hangover reduction with DHM; others notice minimal difference.The issue: DHM supplements typically contain modest doses (around 1,200mg per serving), and absorption varies. Additionally, DHM addresses only some hangover mechanisms—it doesn’t provide glutathione or NAD+ replacement.

The bottom line: DHM may provide modest benefits as part of a comprehensive hangover prevention strategy, but shouldn’t be your primary intervention. It works okay for some people but isn’t universally effective.

B Vitamins: Energy and Metabolism Support

B vitamins are important for energy production, methylation, and stress response. Several B vitamins are depleted by alcohol metabolism, and supplementing with B vitamins is often recommended for hangover prevention.

Which B vitamins matter most:

B1 (Thiamine): Alcohol metabolism depletes thiamine. Supplementing can help restore energy and cognitive function. Important for those who drink heavily.

B6 and B12: These vitamins support homocysteine metabolism and neurological function. Heavy alcohol use impairs B12 absorption, making supplementation important for regular drinkers.

Folate: Also depleted by alcohol and involved in detoxification pathways.

How it works: These vitamins support your body’s energy production systems and help process the excess homocysteine that alcohol consumption creates. They also support your liver’s detoxification capacity.

The evidence: B vitamin supplementation is well-supported for chronic alcohol users and shows promise for acute hangover prevention. The effects are modest but real.

The bottom line: B vitamins are inexpensive and safe, making them worth including in a comprehensive hangover prevention strategy. They’re especially important for regular drinkers or anyone with signs of nutritional deficiency.

Milk Thistle (Silymarin): Liver Protection

Milk thistle is an herb containing silymarin, a compound with demonstrated liver-protecting properties. It’s been used traditionally for liver support for centuries.

How it works: Silymarin appears to protect liver cells from alcohol-induced damage, support liver regeneration, and enhance the liver’s detoxification capacity. It may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The evidence: Studies suggest milk thistle can reduce liver damage from chronic alcohol use and may provide modest benefits for acute hangover prevention. The effects are more pronounced with chronic use than with single-dose supplementation around drinking.

The bottom line: Milk thistle is a reasonable addition to a hangover prevention strategy, particularly for people who drink frequently. It’s relatively inexpensive and well-tolerated, though the acute hangover prevention benefits are modest.

Curcumin: Inflammation Reduction

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Alcohol consumption triggers significant inflammatory responses, and curcumin helps mitigate these.

How it works: Curcumin reduces inflammatory cytokine production, provides direct antioxidant support, and may help protect the intestinal lining from alcohol-induced damage. It supports glutathione production and enhances detoxification.

The evidence: Curcumin is among the most well-researched anti-inflammatory compounds. While specific hangover studies are limited, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties clearly support hangover reduction.

The challenge: Curcumin has notoriously poor bioavailability. Standard curcumin supplements are largely ineffective. Enhanced forms with black pepper extract (piperine) or liposomal curcumin show much better absorption.

The bottom line: Curcumin is genuinely effective for reducing inflammation, but only if you use a high-bioavailability form. Standard curcumin supplements are a waste of money.

Pueraria Mirifica (Kudzu): The Asian RootPueraria mirifica is a plant compound that’s been studied for its effects on alcohol metabolism and hangover prevention, particularly in Asian traditional medicine.

How it works: It may increase acetaldehyde metabolism and provide mild antioxidant benefits. Some research suggests it can reduce alcohol absorption and potentially improve hangover outcomes.

The evidence: While traditional use is extensive, the scientific evidence is more limited. Some studies show modest benefits, particularly when taken before drinking. The effects are generally smaller than glutathione or NAM supplementation.

The bottom line: Pueraria mirifica shows promise but has less scientific support than other options. It’s worth considering as part of a comprehensive strategy but shouldn’t be your primary intervention.

Electrolyte Supplements: Mineral Replacement

While not nutrients per se, electrolyte supplements address the mineral depletion that alcohol causes. Sodium, potassium, and magnesium are all depleted by alcohol’s diuretic effect.

How it works: Replacing lost electrolytes maintains proper cellular function, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Electrolyte depletion contributes to fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, and headaches.

The evidence: Electrolyte replacement is well-established to reduce dehydration-related symptoms. While it doesn’t address acetaldehyde toxicity or oxidative stress, it’s an essential part of hangover prevention.

The bottom line: Electrolyte supplementation is essential, inexpensive, and proven effective. Don’t skip this in favor of other supplements.

Comprehensive Comparison: What Works Best

So which supplements work best? The honest answer is that no single supplement addresses all hangover mechanisms. The most effective approach combines multiple supplements:

Essential: High-bioavailability glutathione (liposomal form) and electrolyte replacement.

Highly recommended: Curcumin (enhanced form), B vitamins (especially B1, B6, B12), milk thistle.

Helpful: NAD+ precursors for energy support, DHM for modest additional benefits, Pueraria mirifica for additional acetaldehyde metabolism support.

This comprehensive approach addresses dehydration, electrolyte loss, acetaldehyde toxicity, oxidative stress, energy depletion, inflammation, and liver support. It’s significantly more effective than any single supplement alone.

Ingredients to Avoid or Be Skeptical About

Some supplement ingredients are included in hangover products but have minimal evidence supporting their use. These include exotic plant extracts with little research, homeopathic remedies without scientific backing, and proprietary blends that obscure the actual dosages of active ingredients.

Additionally, be skeptical of supplements that promise to completely prevent hangovers. No supplement is 100% effective; the best you can achieve is significant reduction in severity and duration.

Timing Your Supplement Protocol

The timing of when you take hangover supplements matters. For maximum effectiveness, a phased approach works better than single-dose supplementation.

Days before drinking: Begin with liver support supplements like milk thistle. This builds your liver’s baseline function and resilience.

Several hours before drinking: Take comprehensive hangover prevention supplements including glutathione and B vitamins. This gives your body time to elevate protective compound levels before alcohol consumption.

Right before drinking: If using DHM or other timing-sensitive supplements, take them per package directions, typically 15-30 minutes before starting.

During drinking: If taking additional electrolytes or specific supplements, maintain consistent dosing per package directions.

Right after drinking: Take additional antioxidants and electrolytes if included in your protocol.Before bed: Take additional support supplements designed for overnight recovery.

Next morning: If experiencing hangover symptoms, take additional antioxidant and energy support supplements.

This phased approach provides continuous support throughout the drinking cycle and recovery period, rather than just single-dose intervention.

Quality and Brand Considerations

Not all supplements are created equal. Quality varies dramatically based on manufacturing standards, ingredient sourcing, and quality control.

Look for supplements that have third-party testing (USP, NSF certified, or similar). Avoid supplements with proprietary blends that hide the actual dosages of individual ingredients. Research the brand and look for evidence of quality manufacturing.

For particularly expensive ingredients like liposomal glutathione, be skeptical of prices that seem too low. Genuine liposomal delivery technology costs money to manufacture.

Reading customer reviews from verified purchasers can give insights into real-world effectiveness. If hundreds of reviews report genuine effectiveness, the product likely works. If reviews are mixed or mainly negative, you’re better served by other options.

The Supplement Ecosystem for Hangover Prevention

Rather than viewing hangover prevention as a single supplement decision, view it as an ecosystem of complementary interventions. Some supplements work best as daily wellness (like milk thistle for liver health). Some work best acutely around drinking sessions (like electrolytes). Some work best preventively (like NAD+ precursors taken regularly). Some work best reactively (like additional antioxidants the next morning).

The most effective approach combines multiple supplements in a coordinated, well-timed protocol rather than relying on a single product.

Combination Protocols: Creating Comprehensive Supplement Strategies

The most effective hangover supplement protocols use specific combinations timed strategically:

Daily foundation protocol: Milk thistle (liver support), general antioxidants, B vitamins. This builds baseline resilience.

Prevention protocol (use before/during drinking): Liposomal glutathione, curcumin, Clovinol, additional B vitamins, electrolytes.

Recovery protocol (use the next morning if needed): Additional antioxidants, NAD+ precursors, electrolytes, B vitamins, ginger for nausea.

This layered approach ensures that each mechanism contributing to hangovers is addressed by at least one supplement.

Bioavailability: The Hidden Factor Making or Breaking Supplements

Bioavailability is possibly the most important but least understood factor in supplement effectiveness. A supplement ingredient can be researched and proven effective, but if your body doesn’t absorb it, you get zero benefit.

Standard supplements have notorious absorption issues. Standard glutathione is 5-15% bioavailable. Standard curcumin is 1-2% bioavailable. Standard NAC is 5-10% bioavailable. This means 85-99% of what you consume is wasted.

Enhanced bioavailability forms change everything. Liposomal delivery increases glutathione absorption to 50%+. Bioenhanced curcumin formulations (with piperine) increase curcumin bioavailability to 20-30%. Some NAC formulations achieve 40%+ absorption.

This is why supplement choice is so critical. Two supplements with identical ingredient lists can have wildly different effectiveness based on bioavailability technology.

Avoiding Supplement Overspending

It’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars monthly on supplements if you’re not strategic. Here’s how to be smart about hangover supplement spending:

Prioritize the big three: glutathione (liposomal form), electrolytes, B vitamins. These three address the major mechanisms.Add supporting ingredients: curcumin (enhanced form), milk thistle, NAC or other glutathione precursors.

Skip the exotics: Exotic plant extracts with minimal research add to cost without proportional benefit improvement.

Be skeptical of ‘proprietary blends’: If the label doesn’t list exact dosages, the dosages are probably too small to be effective.

Buy from reputable brands: Paying more for quality and testing is better than saving money on untested products.

The Bottom Line on Hangover Supplements

Effective hangover prevention supplements combine multiple evidence-backed ingredients with attention to bioavailability. Liposomal glutathione, enhanced-bioavailability curcumin, B vitamins, electrolytes, and supporting ingredients like milk thistle create a genuinely effective formula.

Single-ingredient supplements or those lacking bioavailability enhancements are generally disappointing. Comprehensive formulas that address multiple hangover mechanisms are significantly more effective. When choosing supplements, prioritize evidence, bioavailability, quality manufacturing, and real customer feedback.