While all alcohol can produce a hangover, some drinks are more likely to produce one than others. Many people are allergic to the sulfites in wine and experience headaches after drinking. If you’re sensitive to sulfites, you may want to avoid wine, particularly red wine. While some swear by a greasy breakfast, a balanced and nutritious meal is your best option for hangover relief.
Another remedy some seasoned drinkers swear by is eating greasy, fatty foods. But there’s no scientific evidence to suggest this really works. “It might make you feel a little bit better, but it’s going to be more placebo than anything else,” Chavarria says.
Citrus Foods or Drinks
If you focus on moderation, stay hydrated, eat a healthy-sized meal, and drink slowly, you should be fine. But if you find yourself feeling miserable the next morning, drink some water, take an aspirin if you need one, crawl back into bed to catch up on sleep, and, above all, be patient. It’s also smart to keep a bottle of water by your bedside. Another drink of water when you wake up will help keep you hydrated. Have a sports drink to replace the sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes you’ve lost from vomiting or diarrhea. The caffeine-packed boost offered by coffee is legendary — but it’s not going to undo a night of knocking back beer or booze.
Dehydration can also worsen if your hangover symptoms include nausea/vomiting or diarrhea. If that’s the case, tiny sips of water—or even just ice chips if that’s all that can be tolerated—can help start to restore the body’s equilibrium. Often referred to as “hair of the dog,” drinking more alcohol the morning after will not help you recover. Because hangover symptoms happen as the body withdraws from alcohol, continuing to drink will only make the drinking-hangover cycle continue. Drinking coconut water might help replenish electrolytes and increase hydration during a hangover.
Common myths about hangover cures
The impact of alcohol hangover symptoms on cognitive and physical functioning, and mood. As with medications, it’s always best to discuss any supplements and natural remedies that you’re considering with your healthcare provider. It’s the morning after the wildest party you’ve ever been to. Sadly, your stomach still feels like it’s performing the crazy dance moves you did on top of the table last night, and your head might possibly implode or explode at any moment–you can’t tell which.
- And, natural supplements, in general, aren’t regulated as tightly as prescription medications.
- But recent research shows that “subjective intoxication” (in other words, the individual degree of reported drunkenness), and not BAC, is the most important determinant of hangover severity.
- Since an upset stomach can accompany a hangover, try sipping on ginger tea or chewing on pickled ginger for some tummy support.
- Dehydration can also worsen if your hangover symptoms include nausea/vomiting or diarrhea.
Additionally, keep in mind that pain relievers containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, could increase the risk of liver damage when combined with alcohol. In fact, some research suggests that maintaining adequate blood sugar levels could mitigate some of the bodily changes that occur with alcohol consumption, how long does a hangover last such as the buildup of acid in the blood (12). Although dehydration is not the only cause of a hangover, it contributes to many common hangover symptoms, including increased thirst, fatigue, headache, and dizziness (7). Most hangover remedies are not backed by strong scientific evidence, but they are low-risk.
What Foods Can Make a Hangover Worse?
If you find that you are experiencing frequent hangovers, consider talking to your healthcare provider about your alcohol use. Losing water and electrolytes like potassium and sodium through urine can cause an electrolyte imbalance. Staying hydrated (preferably with some electrolytes, such as an oral https://ecosoberhouse.com/ rehydration solution) helps replenish your body. You might have heard suggestions like a late-night fast food run or a trendy remedy like activated charcoal to deal with a hangover. You won’t find those tips on the list, but here are seven science-backed ways to lessen the symptoms of a hangover.
- Read more about foods to eat and avoid when hungover and effective home remedies for a hangover.
- Greasy foods are hard to digest and can cause stomach upset or heartburn, potentially making any nausea you’re experiencing from drinking even worse.
- Although there isn’t research on how the process might work in humans, it’s believed that mango’s metabolites, such as fructose, might be responsible for stimulating alcohol metabolism.