Research-Based

Morning Recovery Review – Does It Really Work?

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By Leslie Waterson

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

Morning-Recovery-Review

About Morning Recovery

Morning Recovery is ready to drink (RTD) nutritional beverage designed to help you conquer the day after a night on the town. This is the flagship product for MoreLabs which was created by its founder, Sisun Lee. He had the idea to develop Morning Recovery after a trip back to South Korea where he had a few rough mornings followed by some popular traditional hangover elixirs to help his recovery. This led to him bringing together a team of world-renown scientists to help develop what would become Morning Recovery. MoreLabs’ website states the product is manufactured in South Korea. Outside of these things, employee bios and MoreLabs “About Us” page reads more like an advert for a tech start-up. It’s obvious the company is in the business of being in business. They do not talk much about the supplement/wellness industry which is odd considering that’s the exact industry they are in. 

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Morning Recovery Benefits

Morning-Recovery-Benefits

Boost Natural Response to Alcohol

Morning recovery is filled with ingredients purported to have alcohol metabolism-enhancing effects. The main mechanisms these plant extracts may work to boost alcohol metabolism is by working on enzymes in the liver. These enzymes can speed up the breakdown of alcohol as a result and leave you feeling better in the long run. 

Restore Vital Nutrients

Alcohol depletes key nutrients. In order for your liver to properly breakdown and get rid of alcohol various vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants come together. Consuming a lot of alcohol can burn through your supplies of these critical nutrients and leave you feeling hungover.

Rehydrate

Alcohol consumption contributes to dehydration. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to excessive dehydration. Some of the terrible feelings that come along with a hangover are due to the fact you are simply dehydrated. Morning Recovery contains key electrolytes that can help you hydrate faster than water alone.

Ingredients

Morning-Recovery-Igredients
Morning-Recovery-Ingredients

Dihydromyricetin (DHM)

Dihydromyricetin, or DHM, is a flavonoid prominently found in rattan tea. It comes from the Japanese raisin tree. This tea has been a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for hundreds of years. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects people have used DHM to prevent hangovers. Some human trials have shown that DHM can prevent the dramatic glutathione depletion brought on by alcohol consumption. Researchers have recommended tacking anywhere from 80-1,200mg for someone weighing about 180lbs. 

Prickly Pear Extract

Prickly pear extract has been shown to have a beneficial lowering effect on a family of molecules called prostaglandins which is why it is so popular in recovery products, like Zaca. Prostaglandins play a critical role in inflammation and the immune system. When you drink alcohol, prostaglandins are produced as a response. Mouse studies indicate that prickly pear extracts and juices can greatly reduce the negative effects of drinking alcohol. Unfortunately, this data has yet to b replicated in people. So, it is unlikely to have any effect preventing your hangover in the morning.

Milk Thistle

This is one of the more familiar ingredients you’ll find in Morning Recovery. Milk thistle contains a compound called silymarin that has been shown to enhance detoxification in the liver. It does this by decreasing free radicals/inflammation and improving immune signaling. A study looking at the effects of milk thistle and vitamin C on alcohol metabolism showed modest benefits. Researchers concluded milk thistle or vitamin C could help reduce some of the liver damage done by drinking alcohol. The recommended dose of milk thistle is between 2-400mg.

Japanese Raisin Tree Extract

As mentioned before, the Japanese raisin tree contains the compound dihydromyricetin. It is confusing why Morning Recovery lists a specific flavonoid found in this plant and also lists the whole plant in their ingredient list. A 1999 study looking at the effects of Japanese raisin tree extracts found that the medicinal plant could speed up alcohol metabolism in mice. However, the results could not be duplicated in humans.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea contains compounds called catechins. These catechins are fantastic antioxidants and have significant effects in the liver. Mice given green tea extracts shoed to have improved glutathione levels as well as an enzyme called super oxide dismutase (SOD). Along with glutathione, SOD plays a role in breaking down toxins and is part of the immune system. However this study was looking at combating the chronic effects of alcohol consumption and not necessarily a night out at the bars.

Korean Red Ginseng Extract

There are several different ginseng varieties that have medicinal benefits. Korean red ginseng has some data showing its ability to reduce blood alcohol levels. Researchers believe compounds in Korean red ginseng not only improve alcohol clearance but relieve symptoms associated with hangovers. The data indicates that as little as 32mg could have a significant effect on how you feel in the morning.

Korean Pear Extract

Korean pears have long been implicated as a panacea for alcohol-related issues. Recently, a study looked at the effects of Korean pear juice on liver function. Researchers showed that the juice does in fact improve the activity of an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). ALDH is responsible for eliminating one of the toxic byproducts that build up from drinking alcohol. However, this effect was only seen in people with a unique genetic sequence. This means the benefits of Korean pear extract don’t apply to everyone. 

Electrolytes

Morning Recovery includes electrolytes, like magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Electrolytes are an important aspect of maintaining healthy hydration levels. Alcohol has been shown to deplete the body of these electrolytes and fluid. By replacing them, you improve your ability to rehydrate and feel better. Unfortunately, Morning Recovery uses very little of these electrolytes to make any significant difference.

Vitamin C + B Complex

In order for the liver to breakdown toxins and other waste products for excretion B vitamins are critical. Many enzymes in the liver will not work without B vitamins. To make matters worse, B vitamins are water-soluble and alcohol pulls these vitamins out of your body as it dehydrates you. Another critical component of a healthy liver is antioxidant reserves. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes harmful alcohol metabolites. The B vitamins found in Morning Recovery are not dosed at very high levels but, they may be enough to get the job done. The vitamin C, on the other hand, is dosed very low.

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Does Morning Recovery Work?

Does-Morning-Recovery-Work

Morning Recovery contains an astounding amount of ingredients that improve alcohol processing in the liver. It appears to have the potential to mitigate the negative effects of a few drinks but don’t expect to be feeling rosy in the morning after a full-blown bender. It also may not work for everyone depending on your unique genetic makeup. 

Claims Vs. Reality

Morning Recovery Claims

While Morning Recovery has the potential to make a difference after a night out, it is by no means a magic elixir. Morning Recovery will probably reduce the severity or duration of light to a mild hangover. The formulation, while promising, is missing a lot of key information. For starters, it is a proprietary blend so it’s impossible to know if Morning Recovery contains anything close to significant doses. Along with that, the quality of ingredients is not that of a top tier supplement. There are better options for B12 than the synthetic cyanocobalamin or ascorbic acid for vitamin C. 

Who’s It Best For?

Who-Needs-Morning-Recovery

Morning Recovery is designed and marketed for people that go hard at night and need to get things done the next day. With all of Morning Recovery’s liver enhancing ingredients this would also be a great option for anyone looking to ramp up the general liver function from time to time. 

Safety

Morning-recovery-safety

Any products that enhance liver function and thus increase liver metabolism run the risk of altering the effects of any medications as well. Because of this, be aware that taking Morning Recovery may increase or decrease the potency of any medications you are currently taking.

Where to Buy + Cost

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Morning Recovery can be found at a variety of local grocery stores and convenience stores or you can find it online at their website:

https://www.morelabs.com/products/morning-recovery $35/6 bottles

Studies

Frontiers | Recent Update on the Pharmacological Effects and Mechanisms of Dihydromyricetin | Pharmacology 

Dihydromyricetin As a Novel Anti-Alcohol Intoxication Medication 

Interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomised controlled trials. – PubMed – NCBI 

Interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomised controlled trials 

Comparison of Hepatic Detoxification activity and reducing Serum Alcohol concentration of Hovenia dulsis $T_{HUNB}$ and Alnus japonica Steud. 

The effect of green tea on the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the liver of rats during chronic ethanol consumption. – PubMed – NCBI 

Green tea as a potent antioxidant in alcohol intoxication. – PubMed – NCBI 

Red ginseng relieves the effects of alcohol consumption and hangover symptoms in healthy men: a randomized crossover study – Food & Function (RSC Publishing) 

Effect of Korean pear (Pyruspyrifolia cv. Shingo) juice on hangover severity following alcohol consumption. – PubMed – NCBI 

Overall Rating:
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Leslie Waterson

Leslie has been passionately involved in the health and fitness industries for over a decade. She is constantly reviewing the latest scientific research and studies in order to take a research-backed approach to lifestyle optimization. Her main areas of interest include nutrition and supplementation. Leslie shares her findings on Fitness Clone to help other health enthusiasts choose the products and routines that will help them achieve their goals.

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