If you’ve heard of IV vitamins for hangovers, you may have heard the term “banana bag” being thrown around. No, they’re not a bag for your bananas. They’re supposedly the ultimate hangover cure because they’re filled with vitamins and hydrating fluids to get you back on your feet. So, where does “banana” come in? It’s because of its color! Banana bags are typically yellow once everything is mixed in thanks to the B-complex vitamins and the addition of folate.
Who Needs a Banana Bag?
As we said before, banana bags are usually used to cure hangovers, but that’s not all they can do. They’re great for all of the following:
- Hangovers
- Dehydration
- After a day in the sun/by the pool
- Before or after sporting events
- Great for outdoor workers
- Pre-hydrating for a night out
- Jet lag
- Immune system boost
What’s in B-Complex?
B-complex is a blend of B vitamins that helps your body metabolize fats and protein, as well as so much more. B-complex vitamins are needed for a healthy liver, skin, hair, and eyes. They also help the nervous system function properly and are needed for good brain function. So, how do B complex vitamins help with hangovers?
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Thiamine is depleted by alcohol. It is essential for cellular energy production and nerve conductivity. Thiamine deficiency, though rare, can increase your risk of heart disease, dementia and alzheimers, depression, and more.
Vitamin B1 helps prevent complications in the nervous system, brain, muscles, heart, stomach, and intestines. It is also involved in the flow of electrolytes into and out of muscle and nerve cells.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Riboflavin assists cellular energy production and respiration and is important for your vision. However, it also helps with headaches!
Several studies suggest that people who get migraines may reduce how often they get migraines and how long the migraines last by taking riboflavin. That means it can help alleviate hangover migraines too!
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Niacin is needed to release energy from carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It may also help with muscle fatigue, ingestion, depression, insomnia, headaches and skin issues.
Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. One role of niacin is to release prostaglandins, or the chemicals that help widen your blood vessels — to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Pantothenic Acid isn’t really helpful for hangovers, but it soothes and supports adrenal glands and wound healing.
If you’re deficient and hungover, then it can 100% help. However, vitamin B5 deficiency is rare. Its symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, vomiting, stomach pains, burning feet, and upper respiratory infections.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Known as the anti-stress vitamin, Pyridoxine is also an anti-inflammatory. It aids in metabolism and helps stabilize blood sugar. Because hangovers and alcohol often cause inflammation, this can help make you feel better!
Vitamin B6 might reduce the severity of morning sickness during pregnancy. If you have persistent nausea and vomiting, your pregnancy care provider might prescribe vitamin B6 supplements.
Folate
Folate (vitamin B-9) is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. It doesn’t have much to do with hangovers but is sometimes included in the B-complexes offered by IV therapy clinics. IV Revival does not offer folate, as its effects don’t treat most common ailments.
Where to Get a Banana Bag
We don’t call them banana bags, but we can hook you up with something similar — an IV chock full of B Vitamins, without the folate. We can also add more ingredients to your treatment, so you get exactly what you need to get you back on your feet.
At IV Revival, we also offer vitamins and minerals like magnesium to help relieve headaches and soothe muscles, glutathione to help purge your system of toxins left over from the alcohol, taurine to reduce your anxiety about staying in bed to feel better, and so much more. Just give us a call or book an appointment online. We’ll come right to you, so you don’t even have to leave your bed (other than to answer the door!). Start feeling better, today!