Hangovers now count as an illness, rules German court

The Frankfurt court delivered the verdict while hearing a case against food supplement distributor for selling an "anti-hangover drink."

It was said the distributor's "shots" and drink powders to mix with water were making illegal health claims, according to Agence France-Presse.

Reportedly, the firm violated a ban on ascribing the ability to prevent, treat or heal illnesses on food products.

The court ruled, "Information about a food product cannot ascribe any properties for preventing, treating or healing a human illness or give the impression of such a property,"

It added, "By illness, one should understand even small or temporary disruptions to the normal state or normal activity of the body."

These "disruptions" included tiredness, nausea, and headaches the firm's anti-hangover products claimed to fix.

Associated Press reported that the court rejected an appeal against a similar verdict delivered by a lower court.

Interestingly, the judgment comes on the heels of the annual beer-soaked festival, Oktoberfest, in Munich.

During the 16-18 day fest, revelers fill the streets of Munich wearing the traditional dirndl and lederhosen and large quantities of beer is consumed.

The festival ends on October 6.