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 being included in Western supplements.

What The Research Says

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 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.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body?

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.

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 likeblueberries, Liang said someone might need to eat more than 8,000 blueberries to feel the benefits.

Alcohol Allergies and Intolerance

Are DHM Supplements Safe?

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

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

He added that many so-called “hangover cures,” like exercising and oxygen therapy, lack solid scientific evidence. However, DHM doesn’t appear 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, makes you feel awful, and makes you fatigued after a bender,” Fowler said.

Can Alcohol Cause a Heart Attack?

Summary

DHM is a flavonoid that is being marketed as a hangover remedy. However, DHM’s effectiveness remains unproven. 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 actual benefits.

4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.14326Chang 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/s41467-023-41570-6Carry 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

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.14326Chang 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/s41467-023-41570-6Carry 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

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.14326Chang 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/s41467-023-41570-6Carry 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

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

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