You’ve heard of OliKo—the fermented ginger beer packed with gut-friendly cultures, available in a variety of flavors. Since its conception, OliKo has grown in popularity. In the US, fermented drinks once only found in the fridge at natural food stores is now available in cafes, grocery stores, and even gas station shops.

Plenty has been said about what live cultures can do for your digestive system, energy level, and more. But what about a pick-me-up after a long night out? Are fermented beverages good for hangovers? Let’s look at some of the properties to find out.

Is OliKo good for hangovers?

It’s a weekend morning, and you’re still lingering in bed. Those happy hour drinks from the evening before seem like a lifetime ago, and getting the day started is taking more effort than you’d imagined. With a dry mouth, sensitive stomach, and an achy head, you realize maybe the last glass of wine was one too many.

Now is a time for something tasty that will help you bounce back. You open the fridge to see what you have, and there is that bubbly bottle of your favorite untamed flavor sitting front and center. Is OliKo good for hangovers? It can certainly help you through some of the most common symptoms.

Common symptoms of a hangover

Evidence of breweries has been found in the world from the beginning of time, with a 13,000-year-old beer believed to be used for rituals honoring the dead. Fermented alcoholic drinks have shown up in archaeological evidence from societies in all corners of the earth. Do you find any comfort in knowing that humans have likely been battling hangovers for thousands of years?

Here in the modern world, hangovers show up with various symptoms. Before we determine whether kombucha is good for hangovers, let’s cover three of the most common effects your night out may have on your body:

1. Upset stomach and nausea

If you wake up after a night out with nausea and pain in your stomach, you’re not alone. One common symptom of a hangover is a queasy feeling in the gut. Nausea often shows up because of inflammation in the digestive tract. A night out drinking can increase the acidity in the stomach and delay emptying these stomach acids. This slowing of the natural processes in the digestive system can lead to stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

OliKo is packed full of probiotics, which are beneficial for the gut. Probiotics can reduce gut inflammation, contributing to relief from abdominal pain and that sick, nauseous feeling. OliKo is good for hangovers when it comes to nausea and upset stomachs, but you don’t have to wait until you’re hungover to reap those benefits—your sober stomach will thank you for it, too.

2. Dehydration and headaches

Many hangover symptoms can be traced back to hydration. Headaches are very often an indicator that your body is dehydrated. Since alcohol is a diuretic, it encourages the body to move fluids through the system more rapidly than typical. It’s often challenging to remember to replenish these fluids with water while out. Add sugar to the equation, and you have a recipe for dehydration.

An effective way to replenish hydration to the cells is through electrolytes. Fermented beverages are high in natural electrolytes and can help you get hydrated faster than just plain water. The fermentation process relies on sugar for the cultures to feast on, but that doesn’t mean it’s a high-sugar drink. Much of the sugars are consumed in the process, leaving healthy cultures and a delicious brew.

While sports drinks boast high electrolytes, they often carry a high sugar content. Fermented beverages are a better alternative to reach for, making them suitable for hangovers and the accompanying headaches. Another benefit? Studies have shown migraines and headaches are tied to gut health, and probiotics positively affect those reporting pain.

3. Detox support and stimulation

Fermented beverages carry a variety of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help nourish and protect the body’s cells from free radicals, which serve as a protective function in the body’s immune system but are harmful when present excessively. Alcohol exposure can increase free radicals.

Antioxidants from healthy natural foods and drinks help encourage and balance our system. While not a miracle health cure, fermented beverages are good for hangovers by adding antioxidants into your body’s ecosystem, helping with detoxification antioxidation, and promoting a healthy immune system.

Mocktails don’t hurt the next day

“Prevention is better than cure.” – a quote attributed to Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus, circa 1500. This quote also contributes to a critical approach when considering: is OliKo good for hangovers? OliKo is suitable for addressing hangover symptoms and can serve as a preventative measure. Instead of reaching for those alcoholic drinks, have you considered a mocktail?

You are not simply popping open a cold bottle of OliKo—though that’s an excellent idea too! Mocktails are gaining popularity on bar menus. See some of our favorite mocktail recipes here! Of course, if you’re not entirely convinced about forgoing the alcohol in favor of virgin drinks, OliKo is a great companion for your favorite spirited cocktails as well.

If you want to do “future you” a favor, make some of our delicious OliKo popsicles and pop them in the freezer before you head out on the town. You’ll have a tasty fermented treat waiting for you at home for a pre-hangover (and pre-bedtime) snack or a morning refreshment with no prep work required.