Living Essentials, a biotech consumer products company, has launched Chaser for Wine Headaches, a natural, calcium-based supplement that helps prevent headaches caused by wine, it claims.
Taken while drinking, Chaser's calcium-based formula absorbs elements in wine that cause headaches said the company. It added that the supplement's ingredients have been approved GRAS by the US Food and Drug Administration.
According to a survey of almost 700 American women conducted by the company, 97 per cent of respondents said they enjoyed drinking wine, and 52 per cent said that wine was their first choice when ordering or buying an alcoholic beverage. Despite this preference for wine, 77 per cent said they experience headaches during or after drinking wine. Of those who get wine headaches, 45 per cent typically treat their wine headaches by taking aspirin or acetaminophen while another 45 per cent typically treat their wine headaches by drinking a lot of water.
The survey also showed that 88 per cent of women said they would try a product that prevents wine headaches, claimed the company. When asked about the most important factors of such a product, women ranked product safety the highest, followed by FDA-approved ingredients and recommendation from a friend.
"These results clearly demonstrate the need among women for a safe product that prevents wine headaches," said Tom Morse, president of Living Essentials. "Chaser for Wine Headaches was developed specifically as a safe, all-natural preventative that has other health benefits because of its calcium-based components," he said.
Chaser contains activated calcium carbonate, an ingredient found in calcium supplements and antacids, and activated charcoal, a common detoxifier used in hospitals. The product interrupts the development of wine headaches by attracting and absorbing congener molecules, natural byproducts of the fermentation process that give wine and other alcoholic beverages flavour, aroma and colour. When congeners enter the bloodstream they trigger the release of cytokines which are proteins that cause inflammation and lead to headache, body ache and nausea.
"Women need to be aware of the dangers of mixing aspirin or acetaminophen with wine or other types of alcohol. When taken with alcohol, aspirin can cause severe stomach irritation or even stomach bleeding. Acetaminophen can cause liver toxicity or even liver failure," said Morse. "Chaser for Wine Headaches is an effective and safe alternative to preventing wine headaches," he said.
Chaser is available in GNC stores across the US.