Drinking pear juice before a night of heavy drinking could reduce the effects of a hangover, research suggests.

Australian government scientists found that for those suffering the effects of the night before, the fruit significantly increased concentration.

They also reduced memory loss and sensitivity to light and sound and even slightly decreased the alcohol levels present in the blood.

The researchers, employed by CISRO, the Australian government’s scientific research organisation, only tested the Asian, or nashi pear, but will now widen the test of see whether varieties of Western pear produce the same results.