You're familiar with the basic hangover signs and symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Thirst for water (from dehydration)
- Weakness, pains in the muscles, or excessive perspiration
- Headache or light and sound sensitivity
- Vertigo, nausea, or stomach pain
- Irritability or anxiety
- Blood pressure has risen.
- And depending on how much you drank, it can take up to 72 hours to recover.
A cure-all for a hangover does not exist in this world.
To begin, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to your problem. Many "hangover treatments" available at convenience stores are virtually worthless, so you might want to save your money. Other hangover vitamins may help you feel better, but you should do your homework to ensure they're safe to take.
Let's look at some tried-and-true hangover remedies. There are no gimmicks here, and you almost certainly already have everything you require.
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Water is Always a Safe Bet
Dehydration can be caused by drinking alcohol in a variety of ways. To begin with, alcohol has a diuretic effect, which means it increases urine production. This can cause your body to lose fluids and electrolytes that it requires to function correctly. Second, drinking too much alcohol can produce vomiting and diarrhoea, resulting in many fluid and electrolyte loss.
In spite of the fact that lack of hydration is not the primary cause of a hangover, it does play a role in several typical symptoms such as increased thirst, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. As a result, boosting your water consumption may help you avoid or lessen some of the symptoms of a hangover. An excellent tip to follow when drinking alcohol is alternating between a glass of water and an alcoholic beverage. Although this will not prevent dehydration, it will assist you in limiting your alcohol consumption.
Drink water whenever you feel thirsty to stay hydrated the rest of the day.
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Have a Good and Healthy Breakfast
A substantial breakfast is one of the most well-known hangover remedies. One reason is that a healthy breakfast can help you keep your blood sugar levels in check. Although low blood sugar levels are usually connected to a hangover, they aren't always the cause. However, specific hangover symptoms, like nausea, exhaustion, and weakness, may be exacerbated by low blood sugar. Indeed, some evidence suggests that maintaining proper blood sugar levels can help offset some of the adverse effects of alcohol intake, such as acid accumulation in the blood.
Excessive drinking can throw your blood's chemical balance off, leading to metabolic acidosis, which is characterised by high acidity. It's frequently linked to symptoms such as vomiting and nausea. A good breakfast can give crucial vitamins and minerals that may be lost by heavy alcohol use, in addition to reducing hangover symptoms. Although few studies examine the impact of specific foods on hangover symptoms, some research suggests that L-cysteine – an amino acid found in eggs, yoghurt, and oats — may be beneficial. Consuming more zinc-rich foods, such as nuts, seeds, eggs, dairy products, and whole grains, has also been linked to reduced severity of hangovers.
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Toast
Doctors recommend waiting 48 hours after a heavy drinking session, hangover or not, before drinking any more alcohol to allow your body tissues to recuperate. But, of course, a hangover makes it simpler to follow such advice. While no food can stop the stomach roller coaster, carbs can assist raise your blood sugar levels the following day. When your blood sugar levels drop, your liver usually responds by producing more glucose from carbohydrates stored in your body. However, if you've had too much to drink, your Liver will be too busy metabolising the alcohol to handle the extra job, causing your blood sugar levels to drop and you to feel angry and exhausted.
Furthermore, the burnt toast treatment may appear to be based on scientific reality. The carbon in the burnt bread is the cause of this fictitious treatment. Carbon in the body can act as a filter. While activated charcoal (a processed form of carbon) is used to treat some types of poisonings, it is not used to treat alcohol poisoning at this time.
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Sleep
Alcohol can cause sleep disturbances in certain people and has been linked to poor sleep quality and duration. While low to moderate amounts of alcohol may help you sleep at first, research show that higher doses and long-term drinking might cause sleep disruption.
A hangover is not caused by a lack of sleep, although it might exacerbate it. Exhaustion, headaches, and irritability can all be exacerbated by a lack of sleep. Allowing your body to heal and get a whole night's sleep may help you feel better and make a hangover more manageable. If you can, stay in bed because your body is in desperate need of rest.
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Soup
Soup is touted as a miracle cure by many people, and it does have some benefits. Miso soup replenishes various elements reduced by the alcohol's diuretic effects, including water, salt, and other nutrients. Miso can help digestion because it is a fermented food with beneficial bacteria. However, too much alcohol has been shown to alter the stomach lining, resulting in unpleasant digestive side effects.
A thin vegetable-based broth rich in vitamins and minerals, Bouillon soup, can replenish depleted reserves. Its primary benefit is that it is simple to digest for sensitive stomachs.
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Take some ginger with you.
Jamie Bacharach, a licenced medical acupuncturist and herbalist with vast expertise helping people fight the effects of hangovers and reset their systems following a hangover, says, "Ginger is a fantastic, natural hangover treatment."
While there are no studies to support the advantages of ginger for a hangover, it is one of the natural treatments that has been touted repeatedly on the internet. Ginger's natural characteristics serve as an excellent counter to all hangover-related symptoms, and you may assist alleviate feelings of nausea and indigestion by eating ginger or drinking ginger tea."
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Exercise
It's a popular misconception that "sweating out" a hangover will help you recover from a night out. The good news is that it does make a difference. Even if you don't feel like exercising, moving your body and getting some movement will help you recover from your hangover by releasing endorphins, which will improve your mood and state of mind. If you're hungover, though, your reaction time, hand-eye coordination, steadiness, and balance will be compromised, which isn't ideal if you're out on your bike for a training ride.
When you're dehydrated, you're more prone to get delayed onset muscular soreness, and your metabolism alters when you're drunk.
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Vitamins
Because a hangover is caused by a toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism (acetaldehyde), dehydration, and a lack of Vitamin A, B (especially B6), and C, replenishing these vitamins is a good idea. Alcohol depletes vitamin C levels in the body, which should be replenished as quickly as feasible. It doesn't matter if you drink orange juice, eat a tomato, or take a 600mg Vitamin C tablet; they all function.
Asprin only treats headaches; it does not affect the amount of alcohol in your system.
Greasy food: Even though eating fried or fatty meals the morning after will likely irritate a drinker's stomach, even more, many people assume that a good fry-up or greasy burger will help with a hangover.
One treatment, according to our Twitter users, is "Lucozade paired with a packet of salt & vinegar crisps." At the same time, another is "Wendy's baked potato with sour cream and chives" and "that reconstituted O.J. they serve at McDonald's."
When it comes to food and booze, the actual question is: what did you eat before all those drinks? Alcohol absorption is slowed by food, and the longer it takes for the alcohol to enter your system, the longer it takes to become inebriated.
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Get some Vitamin C by Cooking Some Eggs
Glutathione is a chemical you've probably never heard of. You're about to find out if you haven't already.
"An antioxidant called glutathione, which might be depleted after a night of drinking, is one mechanism our bodies utilise to help detoxify alcohol. Our bodies produce glutathione from protein building blocks like those found in high-quality protein sources like eggs, "Beaver explains. "Vitamin C is also vital for keeping our glutathione levels in check."
To assist in re-establish glutathione levels and provide your body with the nutrients it requires, include protein and vitamin C-rich foods in your meals.
- "Other good sources of protein building blocks are chicken, salmon, eggs, yoghurt, lentils, and oatmeal. When you're sick, however, eggs are probably the easiest thing to make, "Beaver expresses himself. "Strawberries, red bell peppers, pineapple, mango, tomatoes, clementines, and raspberries are all good sources of vitamin C that are also refreshing and rehydrating."
Here are some simple ways to enjoy eggs and vitamin C-rich fruits, as recommended by Beaver:
- Scrambled eggs with sliced strawberries and sautéed spinach
- Tacos de breakfast con eggs, sautéed peppers and onions, and pico de gallo
- A frozen mango smoothie for breakfast.
- A fried egg on avocado toast with chopped red bell peppers on the side
What Elements have an Impact on a Hangover?
Despite the ubiquity of hangovers, little research into effective therapies has been conducted. Most of the research available is of poor quality and remain inconclusive.
Many factors influence the severity and duration, making it challenging for scientists to research viable remedies. The following are some of the elements:
- The brand and amount of alcohol consumed by a person
- The frequency with which they consume alcohol
- Biological characteristics based on sex, age
- Body type
- Differences in personality
Some people may even have a hereditary predisposition to suffer from more severe hangovers than others.
Scientists must rely on people's self-reported hangover symptoms, which might differ from person to person, fluctuate depending on day-to-day conditions, and are difficult to control experimentally. Due to a lack of study, various beliefs regarding the best ways to cure a hangover have developed, primarily anecdotal evidence.
How to Prevent a Hangover
Several factors may help to reduce the severity of a hangover, such as:
- Drinking in moderation may assist in decreasing the intensity of a hangover. The only surefire approach to avoid a hangover is to abstain from consuming alcoholic beverages. If people drink less alcohol the night before, they may usually expect a milder hangover.
- Staying away from congeners. Some alcoholic beverages leave you with a worse hangover than others. Drinks high in congeners, such as whiskey, cognac, and tequila, are more prone to trigger a hangover. Low-congener drinks include Vodka, rum, and gin.
- Getting adequate rest. Because alcohol can impact a person's sleep quality, sleeping more may alleviate a hangover.
- Keep yourself hydrated. While consuming alcohol, drinking water can help counteract the diuretic effects of the alcohol and prevent dehydration, which can cause headaches and other hangover symptoms.
- Consumption of meals before consumption of alcohol. Food can shorten the time for alcohol to enter the system, resulting in lower blood alcohol levels. This may help to alleviate the effects of a hangover.
Conclusion
Say "no thank you" if you don't want to deal with the consequences of a hangover. "Alcohol should be eaten in moderation and not consumed hastily if this is not possible or realistic." To metabolise alcohol, our bodies have a restricted number of enzymes. Additional alcohol will induce a back-up in our body's detoxification abilities, resulting in adverse effects."
Even the concept of moderation may seem difficult to some. If this describes you and you believe you may have an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or addiction, treatment is available. There are even medications that can aid in the recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the best method to get rid of a hangover?
Hangover cure that works every time
- Get some sleep. Sleep is the most effective treatment for a hangover.
- Drink plenty of water. Drinking additional alcohol won't help you get rid of a hangover; it'll only make things worse.
- Consume some food.
- Take a pain reliever.
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What is the most excellent hangover cure at home?
Carbohydrates, salty meals, eggs, and bananas are the most effective hangover cures. Drink as much water and sports drinks to replace electrolytes and get rid of a hangover. Red ginseng, prickly pear, and Korean pear are some supplements that can aid with a hangover.
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Is it true that puking relieves a hangover?
Throwing up after drinking may help relieve stomach pain caused by the alcohol. If a person throws up soon after drinking, the alcohol may not have been absorbed by the body, reducing its effects.
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How much time does it take to recover from a hangover?
Hangovers usually fade away within 24 hours. It's known as an all-day hangover, and it usually goes away on its own. However, some hangovers can last even longer. A two-day hangover is defined as a hangover that lasts between 48 and 72 hours.
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What are the five signs and symptoms of alcoholism?
- Confusion is one of the indications and symptoms of alcohol poisoning.
- Vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Breathing slowly (less than eight breaths a minute)
- Breathing patterns that aren't consistent (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
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What meals are good for soaking up alcohol?
Salmon is also high in Omega 3 fatty acids, making it a healthy meal option. Bread, crackers, sandwiches, and pasta are carb-heavy foods that are often easy to digest, which is just what your body requires right now. It's a fallacy that eating tacos, pizza, or burgers can help you "soak up" the booze.
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What's the most excellent method to get drunk and avoid a hangover?
Because alcohol has a rapid effect on your body, hangover avoidance begins even before you take your first drink.
- Prepare to urinate. It would be best if you pee when you drink alcohol.
- Before you drink, eat.
- Tito's Vodka (Skip the Whiskey)
- Snack and hydrate as needed.
- Keep your distance from the well.
- Don't take up smoking.
- Make the switch to water.
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Is it true that honey might help you get rid of a hangover?
Honey. Because fructose digests at the same rate as alcohol, ingesting a good amount of honey when suffering from a hangover will help your body get rid of the alcohol faster. It also aids in recovering your body from hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) caused by drinking.
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Why is it that Vodka does not give you a hangover?
Then again, Vodka is the beverage that is most drastically averse to give you a headache since it is unadulterated to the point that it contains practically no congeners. On the other hand, sugary soft drinks can add to a headache the morning after a night out; therefore, mixing Vodka with soda or fruit juice is excellent.
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What is an effective home treatment for an alcohol-induced headache?
The liquids listed below can all help you stay hydrated and avoid headaches from a hangover:
- a good ol' glass of simple water
- Powerade or Gatorade.
- Coconut water is a refreshing drink.
- Additional electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium, are added to alkaline water.
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Is lemon good for a hangover?
For hangovers, lemon juice is a popular home treatment. It aids in the digestion of alcohol and delivers rapid comfort. The best attribute of lemon is that it acts as a relaxing agent for an upset stomach.
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Is hard liquor worse for your Liver than wine?
The health of the Liver
Alcohol is terrible for the Liver, and excessive use can lead to cirrhosis, which is the scarring and degeneration of the Liver. However, it's probable that wine, particularly red wine, isn't as bad as other options.
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Is Coke good for getting rid of a hangover?
You should hydrate your body while you are hungover. Parchedness is the essential driver of your manifestations, including your migraine. Coca-Cola, for instance, contains a ton of sugar and liquids, which will be once again introduced into your body to support your energy levels. Caffeine will offer you a jolt of energy too."
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When I'm hungover, why do I feel shaky?
Sweating, elevated heart rate, and — you got it — shakes or tremors are all responses to stress that your sympathetic nervous system handles. Alcohol might affect your body's capacity to monitor blood sugar levels; therefore, low blood sugar could be a factor.
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When you're hungover, why do you sweat?
"Alcohol dehydrates the body by causing increased urination, vomiting, and perspiration," Kroplin explains. So, if you're searching for a typical cause-and-effect explanation, the alcohol induces sweating, which leads to dehydration.
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How can you get sober after drinking for 30 minutes?
There is nothing a person can do to reduce their body's blood alcohol concentration or B.A.C. They can, however, do a few things to feel more alert and appear soberer.
- Looking sober
- Coffee.
- Cold showers.
- Consumption of food and beverages.
- Sleep
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Can't you sleep after you've had a few drinks?
Insomnia is the most common condition caused by alcohol. Alcohol can cause you to wake up after a few hours of sleep and make it harder to fall back asleep. Alcohol hurts R.E.M.'s sleep as well.
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When you're hungover, what should you avoid eating?
When you wake up in the morning, with a terrible hangover, we ask medical experts to recommend which foods to avoid.
- Don't go overboard on the protein. Instead, include some carbohydrates in your meal.
- Coffee and orange juice may be your adversaries as well.
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Why do I wake up in the middle of the night when I drink alcohol?
Your circadian clock is messed up! After drinking, you may fall asleep fast, but you may also wake up in the middle of the night. This is because when you've been awake for a long time, alcohol inhibits the regular production of chemicals in your body that cause sleepiness and subsides once you've had enough sleep.