Indulging in alcohol during the festive season of Christmas and New Year may not prove to be as problematic as before after researchers found an asparagus extract may help guard against a hangover.

The study was conducted by researchers at Institute of Medical Science and Jeju University in South Korea back in 2009 with the researchers finding that the amino acids and minerals found in an asparagus extract was able to prevent hangovers and also protect the liver cells from toxins.

"Cellular toxicities were significantly alleviated in response to treatment with the extracts of asparagus leaves and shoots. These results provide evidence of how the biological functions of asparagus can help alleviate alcohol hangover and protect liver cells", lead researcher B Y Kim said.