Hangovers are the unpleasant aftereffects of excessive alcohol consumption that can significantly impact your daily life. If you’ve ever experienced a hangover after a night at a club or festival, you know how it can leave you feeling miserable and sluggish.
In this article, we will explore the do’s and don’ts of hangover recovery, providing you with valuable insights into managing and preventing hangovers effectively.
Hangover cures that work
Drink fluids with electrolytes
Because you’re severely dehydrating yourself when drinking a lot, you are losing electrolytes. As a result, you could experience nausea, cramping and dizziness. Sound familiar?
Reach out for a re-hydration pack or sports energy drink that includes important minerals that you need including sodium, potassium and calcium.
Drink kombucha
Kombucha is good for hangovers! Since kombucha is rich in minerals, antioxidants and bacteria that’s good for your gut, it’s good for restoring everything you need after hitting your stomach with a large dose of alcohol.
Eat nutrient rich food
While some might think greasy foods are the answer, however, they won’t actually absorb alcohol if you’re already hanging. Complex carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables are your best bet. Bananas and coconut water are your friends!
Multivitamin
A multivitamin with Vitamin B and Vitamin C might help put back some life into you. Research shows that Vitamin B deficiencies after alcohol are huge.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle for liver support is a popular natural remedy for hangovers. Milk thistle contains a powerful antioxidant called silymarin, which is known for its liver-protective properties. Silymarin helps to detoxify the liver and promote its regeneration, aiding in the recovery process after alcohol consumption.
Hangover cures that don’t work
Drinking lots of water
Drinking water does help, but it’s not the only source of dehydration from alcohol. An energy drink with electrolytes will be better for you.
Drinking ‘light’ beer or hard seltzer
While sticking to low LPA alcohol like light beer or hard seltzer will limit your hangover, how much you drink matters. Avoid dark beers which contain the nasty congeners that give you hangovers.
Fast food binging
We have all been there. McDonald’s at 4 AM definitely makes you feel better in the moment, but it’s often short-lived. The truth is, eating anything spicy, salty or acidic after you’ve had a big night out will result in indigestion or heartburn the next day, further dehydrating you.
The reason you feel a bit better is because any food before, during or after alcohol will make you feel better and less likely to suffer from a hangover. Food slows down the absorption rate of alcohol in your body, so you might as well try to eat something nutritional.
Tactical chunder
Removing the alcohol from your body will provide some instant relief, but you are probably suffering from toxic side effects at this stage. Vomiting will dehydrate you and cause your breath to stink.
Drinking coffee
If you’re a regular coffee drinker, a cup might sort you out. But that’s usually because you’re body has been missing the regular caffeine you give it every morning. Have a cup without milk or sugar – it might do the trick.
A painkiller before bed
Most over-the-counter painkillers like Panado or Myprodol take half an hour to work and only function for an hour or two, but taking them straight after alcohol can cause very serious liver damage and stomach lining issues.
Instead of taking a painkiller before bed, replenish yourself with an energy drink that contains electrolytes. Or mix up some Himalayan salt with water and drink it.
Drinking a Bloody Mary
A Bloody Mary the next day or The Hair Of The Dog as some people like to call it might provide a short-term Vitamin C and electrolyte boost, but ultimately drinking more alcohol just delays the detoxification process. Adding more fire to fire doesn’t help anything!
FAQ
Can I cure a hangover by drinking more alcohol?
No, consuming more alcohol will only prolong the hangover and delay your recovery.
How long do hangover symptoms typically last?
Hangover symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to an entire day, depending on various factors such as the amount of alcohol consumed and individual tolerance.
Are hangovers worse as you get older?
Hangovers can feel more severe as you age due to changes in metabolism and decreased tolerance to alcohol. However, individual experiences may vary.
Does eating a greasy meal help with a hangover?
While some people believe that greasy foods can alleviate hangover symptoms, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich meal is generally recommended instead.
What can I do to prevent a hangover?
To prevent a hangover, it’s best to drink alcohol in moderation, stay hydrated, and consume food while drinking. Alternating alcoholic beverages with water can also help minimize the chances of experiencing a hangover.