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Key Points
- The article discusses the quest for a hangover cure and provides a prevention and alleviation plan. It emphasizes the importance of taking preventative steps the night before, such as eating a healthy dinner, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding sugary drinks and excessive alcohol consumption.
- The type of alcohol consumed can impact the severity of a hangover. Darker alcohols, like brandy, whiskey, and scotch, contain higher amounts of congeners which can make hangovers worse. Lighter-colored alcohols may cause less severe hangovers.
- The morning after, the article advises against consuming more alcohol and fatty foods as it only delays the symptoms. Instead, drinking coffee, water, and electrolyte drinks, or eating bouillon broth can help to rehydrate the body.
- Detoxifying the liver can also help alleviate hangover symptoms. Consuming foods and drinks like kombucha, beets, carrots, dandelion, turmeric, and milk thistle can help detoxify the liver and reduce inflammation.
- Eating foods high in potassium, like bananas, can help replenish lost nutrients. However, the article concludes that the only true cure for a hangover is time, and suggests going back to sleep to ride out the symptoms.
The quest for a hangover cure has been going on for ages. The ancient Romans ate deep-fried canaries. The Egyptians hung shrubs around their necks. And Wild West cowboys swore by rabbit dung. Today, we’re still groaning out of bed and grasping for relief (albeit with less wacko measures)—trying everything from “the hair of the dog” to an ice cold shower. But what actually works? We thought New Year’s Eve was a good a time as any to give you a hangover prevention and alleviation game-plan.
First, know that to prevent (and minimize) a hangover, you need to carefully calculate your steps the night before. Kick things off with a healthy, potassium and protein-packed dinner, avoiding sugar and excessive carbohydrates. Drink tons of water and sprinkle salt on your food—you need to stock your body with electrolytes. And when you start to imbibe, employ the adage of “one glass of water per drink.” You’ll be thankful.
What you drink (and obviously, how much of it), also matters. The sugary and sweet concoctions (sorry, Cosmo lovers) tend to give us more trouble in the morning, as does mixing different types of liquor. It’s also generally true that the darker the alcohol you’re drinking, the worse off you’ll be. Brown liquors like brandy, whiskey, and scotch tend to have higher amounts of congeners (a compound that’s a product of alcohol fermentation), a key culprit in making hangovers nastier. Sticking to the lighter-colored booze may help a little.
Still, rough mornings happen to the best-intentioned of us. But tempting as it may be, don’t go out and down a bunch of Bloody Marys and fatty pieces of bacon as the solution. It may lessen the pain temporarily, but you won’t escape anything. More alcohol and greasy food will just delay what’s coming, or even worsen headaches and nausea. You’re just adding in more toxins for your body to process.
Here are some more productive things to try:
Drink your way back to health (but not with alcohol)
When you wake up, it’s coffee time. Caffeine can act as a vasoconstrictor and eases the dilated blood vessels, alleviating headache symptoms. Then just keep drinking that water. Your headache/misery is directly related to the fact that you’re super dehydrated. Electrolyte drinks or coconut water are also good choices—but make sure you’re grabbing ones with low sugar contents. Another way to rehydrate yourself back to health is with bouillon broth, which can help you get back all that salt and potassium you lost the night before.
Detoxify your liver
Your liver is doing a lot of heavy-lifting, so give it some TLC. Kombucha is packed with nutritional content and compounds that can help cleanse the liver. And beets, carrots, dandelion, turmeric, and milk thistle (which you can find at health food stores) also help to detoxify things and reduce inflammation. If you’re feeling well enough to whip something up, the website Urban Remedy has liver tonic recipe to try.
Eat potassium
Stock up on bananas. They’ll help you get potassium back into your system, and because they’re high in fructose, may help you burn the alcohol off quicker.
Go back to sleep
We’re sorry to have to say it, but the only true “cure” for a hangover is time. These other remedies can help with alleviating symptoms, but they’re not going to banish the pain altogether. So might as well just go back to sleep and ride it out. You’ll feel better s
Frequently asked questions
What are some historical methods of curing a hangover?
The ancient Romans ate deep-fried canaries, Egyptians hung shrubs around their necks, and Wild West cowboys used rabbit dung as hangover remedies.What steps can be taken the night before to prevent a hangover?
To prevent a hangover, start with a healthy, potassium and protein-packed dinner, avoiding sugar and excessive carbohydrates. Drink lots of water and sprinkle salt on your food to stock your body with electrolytes. When you start to drink, follow the rule of “one glass of water per drink.”Does the type of alcohol consumed affect the severity of a hangover?
Yes, the type of alcohol consumed can affect the severity of a hangover. Sugary and sweet drinks, as well as mixing different types of liquor, can cause more trouble. Darker alcohols like brandy, whiskey, and scotch tend to have higher amounts of congeners, which can make hangovers worse.Is it advisable to consume more alcohol and greasy food to alleviate a hangover?
No, it is not advisable to consume more alcohol and greasy food to alleviate a hangover. This may temporarily lessen the pain, but it will only delay or worsen symptoms like headaches and nausea.What are some recommended drinks for hangover recovery?
Upon waking up, coffee can help alleviate headache symptoms. Drinking water is also crucial as dehydration is a major cause of hangover symptoms. Electrolyte drinks or coconut water, with low sugar contents, can also be beneficial. Bouillon broth can help replenish lost salt and potassium.How can you support your liver after heavy drinking?
To support your liver after heavy drinking, consume foods and drinks that can help cleanse the liver. Kombucha, beets, carrots, dandelion, turmeric, and milk thistle are all beneficial for detoxification and reducing inflammation.Why are bananas recommended for hangover recovery?
Bananas are recommended for hangover recovery because they help replenish potassium in your system and they're high in fructose, which may help burn off the alcohol quicker.Is there a quick cure for a hangover?
No, the only true “cure” for a hangover is time. While certain remedies can help alleviate symptoms, they will not completely eliminate the pain. It's often best to rest and allow time for the body to recover.
