Friday’s Verdict: Hangovers Officially a Real Disease
Just when you thought Saturday nights were all about Bavarian cheer, a European court dropped a heavy truth‑bomb on the “blast‑and‑recover” industry.
What the Judges Said
“A hangover is absolutely an illness,” the Superior Regional Court in Frankfurt pronounced in a neat, sober ruling published on Monday. It wasn’t just a vague, gut‑feel statement. The court made it crystal-clear that any claim to cure or soothe a hangover is fraudulent if it’s offered as a food product.
Why the Case Came Up
- Some company pitched so‑called “hang‑over shots” and powders that supposedly mix with water to wipe out the morning after.
- Plaintiffs argued the marketing gave the impression these products could actually heal a disease.
The Legal Lowdown
The judges pointed out that “information about a food product cannot ascribe any properties for preventing, treating or healing a human illness or give the impression of such a property.” In plain English: unless you’re a medical doc, don’t pretend you’re a miracle cure.
What “Illness” Means Here
Hangovers—those pesky bouts of fatigue, nausea and headaches that sneak in after a too‑loud Oktoberfest or a casual weeknight binge—are indeed classified as an illness by the court. It’s a small, temporary disruption to the body’s normal groove, enough to declare it “illegally marketed” if you’re selling it as a legit health fix.
Extra Flag‑ship History
Doctors long ago coined the term “veisalgia” to describe that dreaded morning after the night before, and the judges nodded to that medical heritage. If you’re looking to sell “magic” vitamins that promise a sober tomorrow, you’ll probably hit a legal roadblock.
Bottom line: the next time you’re tempted to hawk a clever “quick fix” for hangovers, double‑check your label. The law’s out there, and it’s not shy about calling a hangover real-illness territory.
