Cosmax NBT develops hangover cure ingredient

Cosmax NBT, Inc., Korea's functional health food maker affiliated with the same-name original cosmetics design manufacturer, said on Tuesday that it has developed "Noni Tree," a hangover-relieving ingredient based on noni.

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is a tropical plant that grows in the South Pacific Islands and is called "a natural remedy sent from God" among the native people because of its immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects. It can be taken in juice or powder form.

Cosmax NBT has come up with a concentrated extract to maximize the hangover-relief effect of noni. The company said that it showed excellent efficacy even when ingested with a smaller amount than the oriental raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis) extract powder, which is well known for relieving hangovers.

With the ingestion of noni extract, the blood alcohol level was reduced by 13%, and the level of acetaldehyde, a factor that causes hangovers, declined by 40%.

In addition, beneficial bacteria in the intestine increased by 27% and harmful bacteria decreased by 42% in its own experiment. Noni Tree also helps restore intestinal barrier damage by creating a tight junction protein that prevents the leakage of extracellular fluid.

Cosmax NBT will introduce the hangover cure using Noni Tree through its client companies. Yoon Won-il, CEO of Cosmax NBT, said, “Nonitree is a differentiated raw material," adding "We plan to introduce products specialized to men and women by diversifying supplementary ingredients in the future."

Write to Jung-Eun Kim at likesmile@hankyung.com