Researchers studied an herbal tea called Ampelopsis grossedentata that has been used in China for over 1,000 years to prevent hangover symptoms. In laboratory tests with mice, this tea extract protected the small intestine from damage caused by heavy alcohol consumption. The tea worked by stopping cells from dying and by restoring important nutrients that alcohol disrupts. While these results are promising, this research was done in mice, so scientists will need to test it in humans before recommending it as a treatment for alcohol-related stomach injuries.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether an herbal tea extract could protect the small intestine from damage caused by heavy alcohol consumption
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice that were given either the herbal extract or a control substance before being exposed to alcohol
  • Key finding: Mice that received the herbal tea extract before alcohol exposure had significantly less damage to their small intestines, including less cell death and better preservation of the intestinal lining compared to mice that didn’t receive the extract
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a traditional herbal remedy may help protect the digestive system from alcohol damage, but this is early-stage research in animals. Don’t use this as a reason to drink more alcohol, and consult a doctor before trying any new supplement, especially if you drink regularly

The Research Details

Scientists used mice to test whether an extract from Ampelopsis grossedentata (AG) tea could protect against alcohol-induced injury to the small intestine. They gave some mice the herbal extract by mouth before exposing them to alcohol, while other mice received no extract. After the alcohol exposure, researchers examined the intestinal tissue under microscopes and used advanced laboratory techniques to measure cell death, genetic activity, and chemical changes in the tissue.

The researchers used multiple testing methods to understand how the tea worked. They stained tissue samples to see physical damage, used special tests to detect dying cells, and analyzed genetic information to understand which biological pathways were affected. They also measured changes in amino acids (building blocks of proteins) and other chemicals in the intestinal tissue.

This approach allowed the scientists to see both what the tea did (protect the intestines) and how it did it (by stopping certain cell-death signals and restoring important nutrients).

Using multiple testing methods in this study is important because it provides strong evidence about how the tea protects the intestines. Rather than just showing that damage was reduced, the researchers identified the specific biological mechanisms involved. This helps explain why the tea works and suggests it might be effective in humans, though more research is needed.

This study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with mice, which allows researchers to carefully control variables and see clear cause-and-effect relationships. However, mouse studies don’t always translate directly to humans. The study used established scientific methods and multiple testing approaches, which strengthens confidence in the findings. The main limitation is that this is preliminary research—human studies would be needed to confirm these results apply to people.

What the Results Show

Mice that received the herbal tea extract before alcohol exposure had dramatically better outcomes than mice that didn’t receive the extract. The intestinal tissue in treated mice showed much less physical damage, including fewer damaged villi (tiny finger-like structures that absorb nutrients) and less bleeding in the intestinal lining.

One of the key ways the tea protected the intestines was by stopping cells from dying. When alcohol damages the intestines, it triggers a process called apoptosis where cells essentially self-destruct. The tea extract reduced this cell death by blocking specific proteins (called caspases) that trigger this self-destruction process.

The tea also restored important amino acids (building blocks of proteins) that alcohol disrupts. These amino acids—including L-serine, L-histidine, L-leucine, L-glutamine, and L-tryptophan—are essential for maintaining a healthy intestinal lining and proper digestion.

At the genetic level, the tea extract blocked several harmful pathways that alcohol activates. Specifically, it reduced activity in pathways involving TNF (a cell-signaling molecule), IL-17 (an immune messenger), and MAPK (a protein that triggers inflammation). By quieting these pathways, the tea prevented the cascade of damage that alcohol normally causes.

The research showed that the tea extract improved the integrity of the intestinal barrier—the protective lining that prevents harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. This is important because a damaged intestinal barrier can lead to additional health problems beyond the initial alcohol injury. The tea also reduced expression of specific damage-triggering proteins like TNF-alpha and FADD, suggesting multiple protective mechanisms working together.

This study builds on previous research showing that Ampelopsis grossedentata protects the liver from alcohol damage. This new research extends those findings to show the tea also protects the small intestine, a different part of the digestive system. The mechanisms identified (blocking cell death pathways and restoring amino acids) align with how other protective compounds work, lending credibility to the findings. However, most previous research on this tea has been in laboratory or animal settings, so human evidence remains limited.

This research was conducted entirely in mice, so results may not directly apply to humans. The study didn’t test different doses or durations of tea consumption, so optimal dosing for humans is unknown. The research used a specific extract preparation, so it’s unclear whether drinking the tea as a traditional beverage would provide the same benefits. Additionally, the study only looked at acute (short-term) alcohol exposure, not chronic (long-term) drinking patterns. Finally, the study didn’t compare the tea extract to other known protective treatments, so it’s unclear how effective it is relative to existing options.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, Ampelopsis grossedentata tea shows promise as a protective agent against alcohol-induced intestinal damage (moderate confidence level, based on animal studies). However, human studies are needed before this can be recommended as a treatment. If you drink alcohol regularly or are concerned about digestive health, consult your doctor before trying any new supplement. The most reliable way to prevent alcohol-related intestinal damage is to limit alcohol consumption.

This research is most relevant to people who drink alcohol regularly and are concerned about digestive health, and to researchers developing new treatments for alcohol-related injuries. It may also interest people interested in traditional Chinese medicine. However, this should NOT be used as an excuse to drink more alcohol or as a substitute for medical treatment of alcohol-related conditions. People with existing digestive disorders, those taking medications, or pregnant/nursing women should consult a doctor before trying this or any supplement.

In this mouse study, protection was observed after a single dose of the tea extract given before alcohol exposure. If this translates to humans, benefits might appear relatively quickly, but this is speculative. Realistic expectations would require human studies to establish. Long-term effects and optimal dosing schedules are completely unknown at this stage.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If users choose to try this tea (with medical approval), they could track: daily tea consumption (cups per day), alcohol consumption (drinks per day), and digestive symptoms (bloating, discomfort, or irregularity on a 1-10 scale). This would help identify any personal patterns.
  • Users could set a daily reminder to drink one cup of Ampelopsis grossedentata tea, particularly on days when they plan to consume alcohol. They could also track this alongside their alcohol intake to monitor any changes in digestive comfort or hangover symptoms.
  • Over 4-8 weeks, users could log daily tea consumption and any changes in digestive symptoms, energy levels, or hangover severity. They could also note any side effects. This personal tracking would help them determine if the tea has noticeable effects for them individually, while recognizing that scientific evidence is still developing.

This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. Do not use this information as a reason to drink alcohol or to self-treat alcohol-related conditions. Ampelopsis grossedentata is not an FDA-approved medication. Before trying this or any supplement, especially if you drink alcohol regularly, have digestive disorders, take medications, or are pregnant or nursing, consult with your healthcare provider. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you experience symptoms of alcohol-related injury or have concerns about your digestive health, seek immediate medical attention.