When was the last time you had a hangover that you really could have done without?
For as little as £1, Myrkl is billed as “the first product in history to break down alcohol effectively” and has been dubbed the first hangover prevention pill.
The brand claims to leave people feeling "their best" the next day.
Myrkl was first invented back in 1990 by scientist Johan de Faire, and has been "perfected over 30 years of research and design" by Swedish pharmaceutical firm De Faire Medical before Brits are now able to get their hands on it.
Although it won't be available to grab in stores, the Myrkl supplement can be purchased in the UK online - with a pack of 30 capsules costing £30.
Scientists say two pills should be taken an hour before drinking for maximum effect.
So, how exactly does it work then? Well, the probiotic pill contains bacteria that rapidly break downs bacterias named Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis, as well as two common vitamins (L-Cysteine and Vitamin B12), and the manufacturer says that all the ingredients are safe for consumption and have approval from the necessary food standards agencies.
As the Myrkl tablets are not actually classed as a medicine, they therefore do not need approval from the MHRA either.
Independent clinical trials of the pill last month found that preemptively taking the tablets reduced alcohol concentration in the blood by half within 30 minutes of having a drink.
After one hour, the reduction in blood-alcohol level was 70%.
Håkan Magnusson, CEO at Myrkl, said the trials "prove just how powerful this product is at breaking down alcohol".
Magnusson says that his product is the first pre-drinking hangover pill ever to reach the market, adding: "Marking the first time in history that a consumer product is demonstrated to effectively and rapidly break down alcohol, we are very excited to be launching this ground-breaking product in the UK and in most European markets.
"Moderate social drinking is a huge part of British culture, with the majority of British people heading out each week to enjoy a few drinks together.
"Myrkl's purpose is therefore to help those regular moderate drinkers to wake up feeling their best the next day, whether they're a busy working professional, young parents, or seniors who want to maintain an active social life."
Despite Myrkl's claims to have people waking up with a clear head the next day, Magnusson insisted that the tablets are in no way designed as "an excuse to drink beyond NHS guidelines".
He said the company is really convinced that Myrkl is "a game-changing product", and they wait for the British public to "try it out".
Featured Image - Unsplash
UK News
Pioneering Bradford artist David Hockney has passed away aged 88
David Hockney, one of Britain's most influential and recognisable artists, has sadly died.
Born in Bradford in 1937, David Hockney built a career spanning more than six decades and became one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.
He was best known for his vibrant paintings, from the iconic swimming pools of Los Angeles to the sweeping landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy.
And of course you can't forget the adorable paintings of his sausage dogs Stanley and Boodgie.
This morning on Friday 12 June, it was sadly announced that David Hockney had passed away - just one month prior of his 89th birthday.
Admired by critics and the public alike, Hockney's work was exhibited around the world and attracted record-breaking prices, cementing his place as one of the defining artists of the modern era.
Most recently, his incredibly immersive exhibition 'Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)' was a hit across the country, proving his work still resonated with the people of today.
His work at Salts Mill has remained in exhibit for years, including his special digital drawings that he did on his iPad.
His death marks the end of a truly extraordinary career, but his influence on British culture and contemporary art will endure for years to come.
A true West Yorkshire icon that will be missed by many from across the globe. RIP David.
Featured image - Publicity photo via Justin Sutcliffe (supplied)
UK News
Ryanair to be investigated for over charging parents to sit with their children
Emily Sergeant
Ryanair is being investigated by the Government’s leading regulator over charging parents to sit with their children.
Currently, Ryanair ’s terms and conditions require at least one parent to sit with their children aged two-11 when they fly, but this is done through what the airline calls a ‘mandatory family seat’, meaning the parent must pay in order for them to secure a seat next to their child.
This fee applies to both outbound and return flights, and typically costs around £8 each way – but for all other passengers, reserving a seat is optional.
And it’s this that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation .
Ryanair is being investigated over charging parents to sit with their children / Credit: Gerrie van der Walt (via Unsplash)
CMA evidence suggests this approach to seating is used across the majority of Ryanair’s UK routes, and the watchdog understands that Ryanair is the only major airline flying out of the UK to impose this charge.
Other airlines offer to seat children with a parent or guardian without the need for a paid-for adult seat reservation, or they allocate seats together automatically during booking for free.
The CMA says it’s investigating, in particular, whether Ryanair’s approach to seat reservations may mean parents are being charged for the airline to meet its child safety and disability‑related obligations as set out under aviation rules.
The watchdog wants to determine whether or not this practice is in line with consumer law, and whether the airline’s contract terms are ‘unfair’ if they put customers at an unfair disadvantage.
Under consumer law, businesses must show a total price that includes all unavoidable charges, rather than adding extra charges separately or later in the process, as this ensures consumers can effectively compare prices and understand the true cost of what they are buying.
“Lots of families save up to afford a summer holiday and we know that extra charges can quickly bump up the price,” commented Hayley Fletcher, who is the Senior Director of Consumer Protection at the CMA.
“Our investigation will consider Ryanair’s approach to family seat reservations and how the cost is presented to consumers to determine whether they comply with consumer law.
“For the past year, we’ve told businesses to ensure their customers are shown the total price upfront – those who don’t face the very real possibility of action from the CMA.”
At present, the CMA is currently at the beginning of its investigation, and has reached no conclusions about whether Ryanair has broken the law.
Emily Sergeant -
24th December 2024 
