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Food & Beverages

10 Easy Hangover Cures You Must Know

By Anubha Das

Updated - May 9, 20249 min read

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Hangovers, like death and taxes, are one of life's few certainties. We're all getting used to the morning-after pangs now that bars all across the world have reopened their doors. The one minor benefit of a pounding headache is that it usually comes with an overflowing plate of fatty food and a massive mug of steaming coffee.Whether it's the whole McDonald's breakfast menu or a drunken brunch spread, everyone has a go-to hangover treatment.

 

Learn which foods, like that plastic cup half-filled with last night's beer, might help relieve post-party hangover:

You can eat your way out of a bad morning

 

1. Wakey, Wakey, Eggs

 

For a reason, eggs are a breakfast all-star. They're high in vitamin B12, which might help you feel energised, as well as hardworking amino acids like cysteine and taurine. Cysteine, like soda, aids in the removal of acetaldehyde from the body. That's the molecule that causes so much pain after your liver has processed the alcohol. Your liver, speaking of which, will be thankful for the taurine.

 

Image Courtesy: Healthline

A Quick Guide:

  • Eggs contain cysteine, which helps break down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism.
  • They are rich in protein, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce nausea.
  • Eggs provide essential nutrients like B vitamins and amino acids that are depleted during alcohol consumption.

 

 

2. Fuel Up On Potassium Powerhouses

 

Potassium is found in bananas, avocados, dates, and leafy greens, and it is an essential electrolyte that is typically depleted after a night of partying. To make a hangover-busting smoothie, combine all of the ingredients in a blender.

 

Image Courtesy: Healthline

A Quick Guide:

  • Foods like bananas, avocados, and spinach are high in potassium, which can help replenish electrolytes lost due to alcohol's diuretic effect.
  • Potassium aids in muscle and nerve function, which can alleviate muscle cramps and weakness.

 

 

 

3. Take Comfort In Soup

 

Isn't a bowl of mom's delicious chicken soup the epitome of a "crazy night out"? A cup of noodles, while not the most traditional hangover remedy, can help replace salt and water levels. Sip a bone broth if you're not up for solids. For vegans, miso soup is also an excellent morning-after beverage. Additionally, probiotics can help to improve gut health, which your gut could benefit from.

 

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A Quick Guide:

  • Broth-based soups are easy to digest and provide essential fluids, helping to rehydrate the body.
  • Warm soup can soothe an upset stomach and alleviate nausea.
  • Soup can provide essential nutrients and electrolytes lost during drinking.

 

 

 

4. Nosh On Crackers or Toast With Honey

 

Carbs will be your best friend if you need immediate energy. Dry, bland choices like crackers and whole-wheat bread will boost blood sugar without upsetting your stomach. Because preservatives can be found in crackers, choose a healthy alternative or a 100 percent whole-wheat version. Drizzle some honey on top for an extra kick. Just try to eat some protein as soon as you can to avoid a blood-sugar spike.

 

Image Courtesy: Eat Smarter

A Quick Guide:

  • Plain crackers or toast can help absorb excess stomach acid and reduce nausea.
  • Honey provides a quick source of glucose, which can help raise low blood sugar levels associated with a hangover.

 

 

5. Spoon In The Cereal

 

Raid the pantry for oatmeal or a bowl of cereal if you're not feeling well in the morning. Vitamin B, calcium, magnesium, and iron are all found in abundance in oatmeal. Most cereals are also enriched with vitamins and minerals to help you feel better. If your tummy isn't up for dairy, pour yourself a bowl or nibble on dry morsels. Use a plant-based milk as an alternative.

 

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A Quick Guide:

  • Whole-grain cereals can provide complex carbohydrates, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels.
  • They are often fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, which can help replenish depleted nutrients.

 

 

Drown your hangover in good-for-you fluids

 

1. Turn On The Tap

 

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes you to lose water. That's why binge drinking leads to so many more trips to the bathroom. Your blood volume reduces when your body's fluids are depleted, especially in your head — hello, pounding. Drinking water before bed can help prevent a lingering headache, but grabbing the water bottle first thing in the morning can also assist. If your stomach says no, take small sips or munch on ice chips.

 

Image Courtesy: Healthline

A Quick Guide:

  • Rehydration is crucial in curing a hangover, as alcohol dehydrates the body. Drinking water helps restore fluid balance.
  • Water can dilute the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream, potentially reducing symptoms.

 

2. Sip Those Electrolytes

 

You lose fluids when you drink alcohol. When you lose fluids, your electrolytes are lost as well. Electrolyte depletion can induce nausea, dizziness, and tiredness, which are all signs of being under the influence of alcohol. To quickly replenish electrolytes, reach for a Gatorade or comparable beverage. Alternatively, crack up a box of coconut water, which contains far less sugar than other sports drinks.

 

Image Courtesy: Healthline

A Quick Guide:

  • Electrolyte-rich beverages like sports drinks or coconut water can help replenish the minerals lost through excessive urination caused by alcohol.
  • They aid in maintaining proper hydration and can alleviate symptoms like headaches and fatigue.

 

 

 

3. Bag Your Symptoms With Tea

 

Reach out for some herbal tea if you've been praying to the porcelain god or if your tummy is having a difficult time. The zing of ginger or peppermint might help to settle the stomach and reduce the urge to vomit.

 

Image Courtesy: Healthline

A Quick Guide:

  • Herbal teas like ginger or peppermint can soothe an upset stomach and relieve nausea.
  • Teas are hydrating and can help in overall rehydration.

 

 

4. Juice Your Hangover

 

Your preferred hangover remedy may be determined by what you have on hand in the refrigerator. That might be your child's juice box if you're a parent. Diluted apple juice was shown to be more helpful than an electrolyte maintenance solution in preventing and treating dehydration in sick children in one research. The same might assist you in quickly returning to adulthood. Unfortunately, the older we become, the worse our health becomes.

 

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A Quick Guide:

  • Fruit juices, especially those rich in vitamin C, can help detoxify the body and provide a quick source of natural sugars for energy.
  • Juice can also aid in rehydration and replenishing essential nutrients.

 

 

 

5. Go For a Cuppa

 

If you consume coffee every day, don't break the habit. Caffeine deprivation, if you're used to it, might aggravate or even cause a headache. Plus, there's no disputing that the brew provides you a burst of energy. But, as tempting as that triple dose of espresso or that random energy drink may seem, take it easy. Caffeine is a moderate diuretic, so too much might worsen a headache. The acid may aggravate nausea.

 

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A Quick Guide:

  • Coffee or caffeinated beverages can help alleviate the fatigue and drowsiness associated with a hangover.
  • Caffeine can temporarily improve alertness and reduce the perception of pain.

 

 


Unfortunately, there is no scientific treatment for the alcohol blues, but some meals and beverages might help you feel a little better or get you back to work.

And each one is unique. Your friend may swear by breakfast ramen, but the notion of noodles in your stomach after a night of binge eating may make you vomit.

Make use of your instincts. Do you have a hankering for anything salty? What about a crispy snack? Your hankerings may be able to lead you to the solution to your hangover woes.


FAQS:

Q: What's the best way to prevent a hangover?

A: Moderation, staying hydrated, eating before drinking, and getting enough rest can help prevent hangovers.

 

Q: Does drinking water cure a hangover?

A: Yes, staying hydrated helps alleviate hangover symptoms by replenishing lost fluids.

 

Q: Is there a specific food that helps cure a hangover?

A: Foods rich in electrolytes and nutrients, like bananas and toast, can ease hangover discomfort.

 

Q: Does caffeine help cure a hangover?

A: While caffeine can provide temporary relief, it may worsen dehydration; hydrating beverages are better choices.

 

Q: Does exercise help cure a hangover?

A: Light exercise might boost endorphins, but rest and hydration are generally more effective for hangover recovery.

 

Q: Can painkillers like aspirin cure a hangover?

A: Painkillers can relieve headache and muscle pain, but they should be taken cautiously to avoid further liver stress.