Banana Bag IV: What Is It And When Do You Need One?

As we get older, nights out with friends become a bit more grueling. Why is this? The dreaded hangover. Gone are the days when we could run to the bar after work or go to a club over the weekend without first considering the consequences – will I be prepared for my board meeting? Will I be okay for the family reunion?

Will I be able to watch the kids tomorrow? If, despite your best efforts, you’re regretting having one too many drinks, a banana bag IV can help.

What is a banana bag IV?

A combination of thiamine, folate, magnesium sulfate, and multivitamins in a saline solution, banana bags are a vitamin cocktail delivered directly into the bloodstream. They are named for their distinctive yellow color.

Generally used for a specific medical purpose – to normalize vitamin and electrolyte deficiencies in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) – banana bags can also be used to improve symptoms after a bit too much fun drinking has been had.

Does a banana bag treat a hangover?

Despite hangovers being an indication of a successful evening out, they can be a burden to you and the people around you. While other hangover cures involve extra exertion of already depleted energy and often fall short, banana bags are an easy, quick fix that can be administered in the comfort of your home.

IV infusion therapy is more efficient and has a faster uptake compared to oral consumption. You can expect symptom relief to initiate as soon as 30-60 minutes – a fraction of the average recovery time.

How much does it cost?

Banana bags can range in price from $150 – $500. Oral ‘banana bag’ solutions can be purchased online for less than $20, but these need to be mixed into water and drunk, which is less than ideal on a sour stomach.

The uses of banana bag IVs

Fatigue, weakness, thirst, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, stomach pain, vertigo, sensitivity to light and sound, anxiety – the list of hangover symptoms goes on and on and can last for several days. Harnessing the quick and efficient absorption rate benefits of IV drips and the nutrient-filled fluid, banana bags make for a targeted approach to hangover relief.

The carefully selected vitamins within banana bags are essential to life and daily functioning. Replenishing the body with these key ingredients is therefore vital when treating a hangover.

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Plays a major role in the functioning of the brain and nervous system and supports healthy energy production, both of which can help you feel better faster.
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Assists in cellular energy production and nerve conductivity, including combating irritability, nausea, muscle weakness, and more.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Helps release energy storage from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, which can relieve muscle fatigue, insomnia, and headaches.
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Known as the anti-stress vitamin, B6 has anti-inflammatory properties and assists with mood stabilization.
• Vitamin B9 (Folate): Fights free radicals produced by excessive alcohol consumption.
• Magnesium: Essential for life, depleted magnesium levels can result in low energy levels and mood.

Possible side effects

Banana bag IVs are administered by skilled registered nurses who will ensure minimal discomfort throughout the treatment. After the procedure, there may be minor swelling and bruising experienced at the site where the needle was inserted but should resolve within a couple of days.

Although uncommon, mild side effects include:

• Headache
• Itching
• Rashes
• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Skin redness
• Agitation, and/or anxiety

Very rarely, IV treatment can result in phlebitis or damage to a vein due to inserting a needle. This can be accompanied by pain, swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the damaged vein. Applying a warm compress to the area can help to resolve this.

What to avoid drinking when trying to rehydrate after a hangover

If you’re trying to recover from a hangover, it’s just as important to avoid certain drinks as it is to make sure you’re getting the fluids you need to recover. Let’s take a look at what drinks to skip when you’ve got a pounding head.

Sodas

An ice-cold soda may sound like the perfect refreshment on a hot summer day at the beach or ballpark, but keep in mind that sodas can’t hydrate the body as well as water does – especially not after a hangover.

Something else to be conscious of is the sugar and caloric content, as the average soda on the market clocks in at upwards of 200 calories and is packed with sugar. Many of the diet sodas available might offer a greatly reduced caloric and sugar intake at the expense of fake sweeteners and artificial ingredients.

Alcohol

‘The hair of the dog’ is an old hangover treatment that is more likely to make your symptoms worse rather than better. It’s true that some alcoholic drinks contain more water than others, but there are no alcoholic drinks that would be considered hydrating. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which results in increased urine output. This, in turn, can lead the body towards dehydration and making your hangover symptoms worse. Avoid alcohol if you are trying to rehydrate and overcome your hangover.

Coffee

Although many people swear by coffee’s effect on hangovers, it would not be a recommended choice for someone attempting to rehydrate the body or get rid of symptoms. The caffeine content of a hot or iced cup of coffee will likely have a similar diuretic reaction as alcohol causing more frequent trips to the restroom, working against rehydration.

Tea

It’s best to avoid caffeinated tea when trying to rehydrate after a hangover. Tea lovers on the hunt for a refreshing beverage that won’t deplete their body should skip out on the green or black teas and opt for a mugful of hibiscus or rose tea for a delightful changeup that would aid in rehydration.

• How to Treat a Hangover At Home
• How to Deal with a Hangover Headache
• Is Liquid IV Efficient When Treating a Hangover?
• Does Liquid IV Work for Hangovers?
• How Long Does a Hangover Last?