What are the most effective foods for alleviating hangover symptoms. How can specific nutrients help combat the effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Which readily available foods and beverages offer the best hangover relief.

Understanding Hangovers: Causes and Symptoms

A hangover is the body’s reaction to excessive alcohol consumption. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, hangovers typically involve a combination of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and inflammatory responses. Common symptoms include fatigue, nausea, headache, light sensitivity, and dizziness that can persist for several hours.

Why do we experience hangovers? Alcohol interferes with various bodily processes:

• It inhibits the production of antidiuretic hormone, leading to increased urination and dehydration
• Disrupts blood sugar levels, causing weakness and mood swings
• Triggers an inflammatory response in the immune system
• Irritates the lining of the stomach, potentially causing nausea

While there’s no definitive cure for hangovers, certain foods and beverages can help alleviate symptoms by addressing these underlying issues.

Potassium-Rich Foods: Replenishing Electrolytes

Alcohol consumption leads to electrolyte imbalances, particularly the loss of potassium. Incorporating potassium-rich foods into your post-drinking meal plan can help restore this crucial electrolyte.

Bananas: Nature’s Hangover Helper

Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, with one medium banana providing about 9% of the daily recommended value. They’re easy to eat, even when feeling nauseous, and offer quick energy in the form of natural sugars.

Avocados: Creamy Hangover Relief

Avocados not only provide potassium (15% DV per fruit) but also contain healthy fats and compounds that may protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage. Their creamy texture makes them easy to incorporate into smoothies or spread on toast for a hangover-busting breakfast.

Hydrating Foods: Combating Dehydration

Dehydration is a primary factor in hangover symptoms, particularly headaches. Consuming foods with high water content can help replenish fluids and alleviate these symptoms.

Watermelon: Sweet Hydration

Watermelon is not only hydrating but also contains L-citrulline, a compound that may improve blood flow. This could potentially help with hangover-related headaches by increasing circulation to the brain.

Cucumber: Cool and Hydrating

While not mentioned in the original text, cucumbers are another excellent hydrating food. They’re composed of about 96% water and contain electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. Sliced cucumbers can be a refreshing and easily digestible snack during a hangover.

Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Fighting Inflammation

Alcohol consumption triggers an inflammatory response in the body. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants can help combat this inflammation and potentially reduce hangover symptoms.

Blueberries: Tiny Berries, Big Benefits

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that fight inflammation. Research has shown that alcohol consumption increases inflammatory compounds in the blood, making antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries particularly beneficial for hangover recovery.

Oranges: Vitamin C Powerhouse

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which may help maintain levels of glutathione, an important antioxidant depleted by alcohol consumption. By supporting glutathione levels, oranges could potentially help your body process alcohol more efficiently and reduce hangover severity.

Electrolyte-Balancing Foods: Sodium and Hydration

While potassium is crucial, sodium is another electrolyte lost through excessive urination during drinking. Replenishing sodium can help restore electrolyte balance and promote hydration.

Pickles: Salty Hangover Relief

Pickles and pickle juice are high in sodium, making them an effective way to replenish this lost electrolyte. A single dill pickle spear can provide about 12% of the daily recommended sodium intake. The brine itself is even more concentrated, with 2 ounces offering approximately 16% of the daily value.

Bone Broth: Nourishing and Hydrating

Although not mentioned in the original text, bone broth is an excellent addition to a hangover recovery plan. It’s rich in sodium and other minerals, easily digestible, and hydrating. The protein content can also help stabilize blood sugar levels, which are often disrupted by alcohol consumption.

Nutrient-Dense Vegetables: Replenishing Vitamins and Minerals

Alcohol consumption can deplete various vitamins and minerals. Consuming nutrient-dense vegetables can help replenish these essential nutrients and support overall recovery.

Sweet Potatoes: Vitamin A and Electrolytes

Sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse for hangover recovery. One cup of cooked sweet potato provides over 200% of the daily value for vitamin A, which may help combat inflammation. They’re also rich in magnesium and potassium, two electrolytes often depleted by alcohol consumption.

Spinach: Folate and Iron Boost

Spinach is particularly beneficial due to its high folate content. Alcohol impairs folate absorption, and chronic heavy drinking can lead to deficiency. One cup of cooked spinach provides 66% of the daily value for folate. Additionally, spinach is rich in iron, which can help combat the fatigue often associated with hangovers.

Protein-Rich Foods: Stabilizing Blood Sugar and Supporting Recovery

Protein-rich foods can help stabilize blood sugar levels and provide the amino acids needed for various recovery processes in the body.

Lean Meats: Amino Acid Replenishment

Alcohol can interfere with the absorption of certain amino acids, and chronic heavy drinking may lead to amino acid deficiencies. Consuming lean meats like chicken or beef can help replenish these essential building blocks. A 3-ounce serving of beef provides about 22 grams of protein, while the same amount of chicken breast offers 24 grams.

Eggs: The Perfect Hangover Food

While not explicitly mentioned in the original text, eggs deserve a spot on any list of hangover foods. They’re rich in cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. Eggs also provide high-quality protein and B vitamins, which are often depleted by alcohol consumption.

Soothing Beverages: Hydration and Comfort

Certain beverages can provide both hydration and comfort during a hangover, helping to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.

Chicken Noodle Soup: Comforting and Nourishing

Chicken noodle soup is often recommended for colds and flu, but it can also be beneficial for hangovers. The broth helps with rehydration and electrolyte replenishment, while the chicken provides easily digestible protein. The warm, comforting nature of the soup can also help settle an upset stomach.

Herbal Teas: Gentle Hydration and Potential Benefits

While not mentioned in the original text, certain herbal teas can be excellent choices for hangover recovery. Ginger tea, for example, may help alleviate nausea, while peppermint tea can soothe an upset stomach. Chamomile tea might help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, addressing the psychological aspects of a hangover.

Incorporating these foods and beverages into your post-drinking routine can help alleviate hangover symptoms and support your body’s recovery process. Remember, the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink responsibly or not at all. Always prioritize your health and well-being when consuming alcohol.

The Role of Supplements in Hangover Recovery

While food should be the primary focus for hangover recovery, certain supplements may offer additional support. However, it’s important to note that research in this area is limited, and results can vary significantly between individuals.

B-Complex Vitamins: Supporting Alcohol Metabolism

B vitamins play crucial roles in alcohol metabolism and energy production. Alcohol consumption can deplete B vitamin levels, particularly thiamine (B1) and folate. A B-complex supplement taken before, during, or after drinking might help mitigate some hangover symptoms.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): Antioxidant Support

NAC is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize harmful substances, including acetaldehyde, the toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. Some studies suggest that NAC might help reduce alcohol’s negative effects on the liver, though more research is needed to confirm its efficacy for hangovers specifically.

Milk Thistle: Potential Liver Protection

Milk thistle has been used for centuries to support liver health. While it may not directly alleviate hangover symptoms, it could potentially help protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in this context.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

The Importance of Preventive Measures

While knowing how to treat a hangover is valuable, taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of hangover symptoms.

Hydration: Before, During, and After Drinking

Staying hydrated is crucial for minimizing hangover symptoms. Try to drink a glass of water between alcoholic beverages and have a large glass of water before going to bed. This can help counteract alcohol’s dehydrating effects.

Eating Before Drinking: Slowing Alcohol Absorption

Consuming a meal high in protein and healthy fats before drinking can help slow the absorption of alcohol. This can potentially reduce the severity of a hangover by giving your body more time to process the alcohol.

Choosing Drinks Wisely: Quality Over Quantity

Opt for higher quality alcoholic beverages and avoid those high in congeners, which are byproducts of fermentation found in greater quantities in darker liquors and red wine. These compounds can contribute to the severity of hangovers.

Remember, while these foods, beverages, and strategies can help alleviate hangover symptoms, the most effective way to avoid a hangover is to drink in moderation or abstain from alcohol altogether. Always prioritize your health and well-being when making decisions about alcohol consumption.

The 23 Best Hangover Foods

There is no magic food for a hangover cure. Hangover research is limited, but certain foods and drinks, like bananas, pickles, or coffee, may be able to help your symptoms.

A hangover is your body’s reaction to drinking too much alcohol.

Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, headache, sensitivity to light, dehydration, or dizziness that lasts several hours.

Research on hangovers is limited, and the exact processes behind them are poorly understood.

It’s thought that the body experiences specific hormonal and immune responses during a hangover that trigger different symptoms (1, 2).

While there is no known cure for hangovers, several foods and drinks may alleviate symptoms.

Here are the 23 best foods and beverages to help ease a hangover.

Many fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and natural sugars. These healthful foods may help reduce hangover symptoms.

1. Bananas

Alcohol blocks the production of a hormone that helps your body hold on to water, leading to dehydration and the loss of electrolytes like potassium and sodium (3, 4).

Bananas are especially rich in potassium and can help replenish your body’s stores. One medium banana contains 9% of the daily value (DV) for potassium (5).

2. Watermelon

Since headache associated with a hangover is usually due to dehydration and decreased blood flow to the brain, eating watermelon may help (6, 7).

Watermelon is rich in L-citrulline, a nutrient that may increase blood flow (8).

What’s more, its high water content can help you rehydrate.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in nutrients that fight inflammation in your body, which comes in handy if you have a hangover (9).

An older study of 20 men found that blood levels of various inflammatory compounds increased after alcohol consumption (10).

Thus, eating blueberries after having too much to drink may help fight related inflammation.

4. Oranges

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which may prevent your body from losing glutathione.

Glutathione is an antioxidant that helps rid your body of alcohol and decreases during alcohol consumption (11, 12).

Eating oranges may give you the vitamin C you need to keep glutathione levels stable and reduce hangover symptoms (13, 14).

5. Pickles

Pickles are high in sodium, an electrolyte that excessive drinking depletes.

Eating pickles or drinking their brine may help boost your sodium levels and overcome your hangover.

One dill pickle spear contains about 12% of the DV for sodium. Even better, 2 ounces (60 ml) of pickle juice provides about 16% of the DV (15, 16).

Keep in mind that the sodium content of pickles may vary by brand.

6. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain several nutrients that may help you get over a hangover faster.

One cup (200 grams) of cooked sweet potato has over 200% of the DV for vitamin A, 13% for magnesium, and 20% for potassium (17).

Vitamin A may help fight the inflammation associated with hangovers, while magnesium and potassium are needed to replace what’s lost during alcohol consumption (18, 19, 20).

7.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in folate, a nutrient that diminishes due to heavy drinking.

A 2002 review of the research found that alcohol impairs folate absorption, and chronic alcohol intake can lead to deficiency (21).

Eating spinach can help you maintain adequate folate levels after drinking alcohol. One cup (180 grams) of cooked spinach provides 66% of the DV (22).

8. Avocado

Eating avocados after a night of heavy drinking can help raise low potassium levels from alcohol consumption and dehydration.

In fact, one avocado (136 grams) packs 15% of the DV for this mineral (23).

What’s more, research shows that avocados contain compounds that protect against liver injury. Since drinking in excess takes a toll on your liver, avocados may be especially beneficial for hangovers (24).

9. Asparagus

Asparagus packs certain compounds that may provide hangover relief.

According to one test-tube study, asparagus extracts more than doubled the effectiveness of certain enzymes that help break down alcohol, and also protected liver cells from damage (25).

Though there is currently no research on the effect of asparagus on hangovers in humans, eating this vegetable may be worth a try.

The protein and healthful fats in many meat and fish products may help with a hangover.

10. Meat

Meat and other high-protein foods may help your body better handle a hangover.

Research shows that alcohol prevents your body from absorbing certain amino acids. In fact, chronic alcohol consumption can lead to amino acid deficiencies (26, 27).

Your body breaks down protein into amino acids, making it a good choice during a hangover.

Three ounces (85 grams) of beef have close to 22 grams of protein, while three ounces (85 grams) of chicken breast pack 24 grams (28, 29).

11. Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a popular remedy for the flu or common cold. However, it may also be helpful for hangovers.

Research shows that chicken noodle soup can help you rehydrate — mostly due to its high sodium content (30).

One cup (240 grams) of chicken noodle soup provides 32% of the DV for sodium (31).

12. Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are excellent at decreasing inflammation in your body (32).

Since drinking alcohol can increase the number of compounds that cause inflammation, eating salmon or other fatty fish may be a good way to ease hangover symptoms (33).

13. Eggs

Eggs are rich in cysteine, an amino acid that your body uses to produce the antioxidant glutathione (34).

Drinking alcohol decreases the body’s stores of glutathione. Without it, your body has difficulty breaking down the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism (35, 36).

Eating cysteine-rich eggs is a great way to increase glutathione in your body and possibly improve hangover symptoms.

Below are some other foods that may help with a hangover.

14. Oatmeal

Oatmeal contains complex carbohydrates that provide a slow and steady release of sugar into the bloodstream. This may help with hangover symptoms.

One older study found that eating a breakfast full of complex carbs instead of refined sugars led to improved mood and fewer feelings of fatigue (37).

However, the study participants were healthy men who hadn’t been consuming alcohol, so it’s unclear whether results would be the same in people experiencing hangover symptoms.

Still, it’s possible that reaching for oatmeal after a night of heavy drinking could help with hangover-related fatigue or low blood sugar.

15. Ginger

Extensive research supports the use of ginger as an effective remedy for nausea (38, 39, 40).

The anti-nausea effects of ginger make it a possible treatment for the stomach upset associated with hangovers.

16. Honey

Because of its high fructose content, honey may improve hangover symptoms. Depending on the type, it can be between 21% and 43% fructose, depending on the type (41).

While research on this subject is limited, fructose may help rid your body of alcohol more quickly (42, 43).

One study of 50 adults found that honey increased the rate of alcohol elimination by up to 32.4% (44).

Despite its ability to increase the speed at which your body gets rid of alcohol, fructose did not appear to reduce the intensity of hangover symptoms in another study (45).

Nevertheless, people should not rule out honey and other high-fructose foods as a possible way to feel better after drinking too much.

17. Crackers

Crackers contain fast-acting carbs that can increase your blood sugar during a hangover and improve related symptoms.

When the liver processes alcohol, it no longer focuses on regulating blood sugar. This is why low blood sugar can result from excessive drinking, especially in people with diabetes. Eating carbs increases blood sugar (46, 47).

Five saltine crackers (15 grams) contain approximately 11 grams of carbs (48).

18. Nuts

Due to their high magnesium content, nuts may be a solution to your hangover.

Excessive alcohol consumption can deplete magnesium in your cells. As a result, refilling magnesium stores may help treat symptoms (49, 50).

One ounce (28 grams) of almonds packs close to 20% of the DV for magnesium (51).

The below drinks may help to reduce hangover symptoms.

19. Water

Drinking water is one of the most important things you can do with a hangover.

Since alcohol is a diuretic, it makes you pee more frequently and increases water loss. Water can replenish these lost fluids (52).

20. Tomato Juice

Tomato juice may be another good beverage to drink with a hangover.

Research shows that tomatoes contain compounds that protect against liver injury. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage, so tomatoes could theoretically help reduce the effects of drinking alcohol (53, 54, 55).

21. Green Tea

Green tea may help fight hangovers, too.

One study found that compounds in green tea significantly decreased blood alcohol concentration in rats. Additional research shows similar effects in mice fed green tea extracts (56, 57).

While researchers have only assessed these effects in animals, the effectiveness of green tea in improving hangover symptoms may translate to humans.

22. Coconut Water

Since hydration is such an important part of hangover recovery, drinking coconut water may facilitate getting over a hangover.

Coconut water contains lots of electrolytes. One cup (240 ml) of coconut water has 11% and 13% of the DVs for sodium and potassium, respectively (58).

As a result, research has shown that coconut water is just as effective as traditional sports drinks for rehydration (59, 60).

23. Coffee

Lastly, coffee may be beneficial for beating a hangover.

Some studies link coffee consumption to decreased inflammation, but the research is mixed. Therefore, drinking a cup of joe after a night of heavy drinking may or may not fight inflammation from a hangover (61, 62, 63).

However, if you’re looking to improve your hangover fatigue and become more alert, coffee is a good choice (64).

While there is no magical cure for a hangover, several foods and drinks may help you feel better.

The best way to prevent a hangover is to avoid alcohol altogether or to drink it in moderation.

Read this article in Spanish.

15 Best Hangover Foods (and Foods to Avoid)

Last Updated on March 24, 2023 by jofitzsimons

Hangovers are definitely the least fun thing about drinking. You wake up after a few too many Prosecco cocktails or glasses of wine with a pounding head, dry mouth, shaky hands, and a churning stomach. And the worse part is, you now have to attempt to make it through an entire day.

Unfortunately, there’s no magical quick fix for curing a hangover (though we do have a full guide to How to Ease Your Hangover in 7 Simple Steps). But what you put into your body the following morning can make a significant difference. And that’s where this guide to the best food for a hangover comes in.

The best hangover food may not be what you expect, or even what you’re craving. But eating the right things can help ease your headache, settle your stomach, and boost your energy levels, making the day ahead a little more bearable.

Table of Contents

1. Water

Before we jump into this list, it’s crucial that we first mention the ultimate hangover cure – water! Water should be the first thing you reach for in the morning before you even think about eating.

Alcohol is a diuretic. Diuretic means that it flushes fluids from the body – hence those extra trips to the loo on a night out (or maybe it was the sheer volume if you were playing drinking games). It also leads to extreme dehydration the following morning, causing horrible hangover symptoms such as a dry mouth and pounding headache.

Ideally, you should drink lots of water alongside alcohol to prevent a hangover in the first place. But let’s be honest, how many of us actually remember to do this? So make sure to drink a glass or two before you jump into bed at the end of the night (tip: have a glass ready at your bedside), and continue to sip on plenty of water throughout the following day.

2. Coconut Water or Electrolytes

You can also step things up a notch by adding some coconut water to your hungover morning routine. Coconut water is not only extremely hydrating, but it’s also full of good sugars, antioxidants, and – most importantly – electrolytes.

When you drink too much alcohol, your blood electrolyte levels get diluted and/or depleted. These electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, are essential in regulating fluids in the body and for many basic bodily functions. Low electrolyte levels are therefore a major contributor to many hangover symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. This is why it’s necessary to replenish your electrolyte levels after drinking.

Many people reach for energy drinks such as Lucozade, Gatorade, or Pedialyte after a big night out. And while these are also good for replenishing electrolytes, they are high in sugar and not the healthiest hangover cures. Coconut water has the same rehydrating and replenishing effects, but with less sugar and more nutrients.

What to avoid: Hair of the dog – Many people swear by ‘hair of the dog’ to cure a hangover. If you don’t know what this means, it’s the idea that drinking more alcohol the following morning will help prevent or fix your hangover. But unfortunately, this is just a myth.

Waking up and drinking more booze will certainly help to delay the inevitable hangover. But once the initial alcohol buzz wears off, you’ll end up feeling even more dehydrated and hungover than you would have to begin with. So skip the Mimosas at brunch and order a nice fruit smoothie and a glass of water instead.

3. Toast and Honey

Lots of people crave carbs after a big night of drinking. And rightly so. Carb-heavy foods such as bread, sandwiches, toast, and crackers are some of the best things to eat with a hangover. They’re easy for the stomach to digest and offer an immediate source of energy. Carbohydrates are also naturally high in sodium, so they can help replenish your electrolyte levels too.

If you can stomach more than a simple slice of dry toast, try adding some honey for a sweet morning pick-me-up. Honey is packed with fructose, which can help your body eliminate alcohol faster. Toast with honey can raise your blood sugar levels and give you a natural energy boost, without increasing any feelings of nausea.

4. Cheese Pasta

Pasta is another excellent carb-heavy hangover food. You really can’t go wrong with basic cheesy pasta. But it’s probably best not to get over-excited with a super-heavy cheese sauce – you’re hungover stomach won’t thank you.

Instead, add a little butter or olive oil and some cheese of your choice for a simple and easy-to-make hungover lunch.

Cheese pasta is one of the best hangover cure foods for satisfying your cravings for naughty treats, without irritating your stomach (so long as you don’t turn your cheesy pasta into cheese soup).

5. Veggie Stuffed Omelette

Eggs are another good hangover food to add to your post-night-out breakfast. Or, more likely, brunch.

Eggs are packed with amino acids, such as cysteine and taurine, which support liver function. And let’s face it, your liver deserves a little pampering after working overtime last night. They’re also a great source of important nutrients, such as vitamin B6, B12, and vitamin D, which can help improve overall mood and make you feel more energetic.

As a bonus, eggs are a common household food item and a classic breakfast and brunch dish found in most cafes and restaurants. They don’t require much effort to cook or find when you’re not feeling overly energetic in the morning.

An omelette is going to be one of your best breakfast friends since it’s very easy to upgrade your eggs by adding some veggies – such as tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach – to make a more nutritious egg-based breakfast.

6.

Avocado and Scrambled Egg Bagel

Another tasty way to upgrade your eggs is to add them to a bagel along with some smashed avocado. Scrambled eggs in a bagel are my go-to. But fried eggs and poached eggs also work well.

The eggs offer liver-aiding amino acids and plenty of nutrients, the bagel adds some carbs, while smashed avocado offers a good source of potassium. And if you can handle some dairy, halloumi cheese makes a tasty addition and will satisfy your salt cravings.

It really is the ultimate hungover brunch dish.

7. Oatmeal with Fruit and Honey

While your hangover will probably have you craving salty and greasy fast food the second you wake up or sugary treats like pastries, sticking to your regular breakfast of oatmeal or cereal may actually be a much better decision.

Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber, so can help relieve nausea and provide a slow release of energy to help power you through the day. It’s also packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin B, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Add some fruit and honey for a sweet, tasty, and nutrient-filled breakfast bowl.

What to avoid: heavy greasy foods: Greasy grub is many people’s hungover go-to. Waking up after a big night out, it’s not uncommon to be craving unhealthy foods like a greasy plate of fried eggs, bacon and sausage, takeaway pizza, several scoops of gelato or a fast food burger. But while these foods will certainly taste good at the time, they are definitely not the best foods for a hangover.

Contrary to popular belief, greasy food will not ‘soak up the alcohol’ in your system. In fact, it actually makes it harder for your body to process the remaining alcohol. Fried foods will also leave you feeling sluggish and can irritate your already delicate stomach. So, leave the half eaten kebab on the nightstand.

You might also want to avoid any fruit that featured in your cocktails last night: looking at you passion fruit and Pornstar martinis.

9.

Wholegrain Cereal

Many cereals are also fortified with vitamins and minerals, making them a great post-booze breakfast. But try to choose something bland and healthy like bran flakes, rather than sugary cereals that are likely to give you a sudden energy spike followed by a sharp crash.

And if your stomach isn’t up for dairy quite yet – which can also be harsh on an upset stomach – opt for a plant-based alternative in your cereal instead. Coconut milk and almond milk are two good options.

10. Bananas

If you’re feeling lethargic after a heavy night of drinking, it may be because your body is low on potassium, an important electrolyte for basic functioning.

Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium you can get. Plus they’re soft and gentle on the stomach, so should be easy to digest if you’re struggling to keep down solid foods.

Did you know Italy’s Prosecco wine region is only 1hr from Venice? Find out more about the Prosecco Region and check out our Prosecco Wine Tours here.

11. Berries

You can also blend a banana into a healthy fruit smoothie along with other fruits. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are some of the best choices for a hungover fruit smoothie.

Berries are high in antioxidants and contain plenty of vitamin C to help you feel better in no time. You could also throw in some flax seeds or chia seeds for extra antioxidants and fiber.

12. Chicken Noodle Soup

Chichen noodle soup is typically associated with being ill. But did you know that it’s a fantastic hangover food too?

Not only is it extremely easy and comforting to eat, but it also has everything your body needs. You’ll get protein from the chicken, simple and easy-to-digest carbs from the noodles, and plenty of sodium and electrolytes from the broth.

Soup can help increase hydration and get some much-needed nutrients into your body, while still satisfying your hungover craving for salty food.

13.

Coffee

And what about supplementing your hangover food with a nice hot coffee?

If you’re a regular coffee drinker, a good ol’ cup of joe in the morning is a great way to increase your energy levels and help you feel human again.

But, it’s vital to remember that coffee is also a diuretic, just like alcohol. So drinking too much coffee can make you feel even more dehydrated and make your hangover symptoms even worse.

If you are drinking coffee on a hangover, make sure to balance it out with plenty of water. And as tempting as it may be, try not to drink more caffeine than you would on an average non-hungover day.

Strong coffee can also be particularly harsh on your stomach. So if you’re feeling nauseous or vomiting, it may be best to skip the coffee. Stick to the water and coconut water for now and ease into the coffee later in the day.

14. Fruit, Vegetable, or Tomato Juice

Fruit juice is a great addition to any hungover breakfast. Juice helps to keep you hydrated, boosts your blood sugar levels, and gets some necessary vitamins and minerals into your body.

Apple, cranberry, and watermelon juice are all good options for a hungover stomach. A mixed fruit juice containing ginger is particularly effective at easing nausea. My personal favorite is apple, carrot, and ginger juice.

If you can handle it, tomato juice is also a well-known hangover cure. Tomato juice is good for keeping you hydrated, replenishing lost nutrients, and helping with liver function. Note: It’s probably best to skip the Bloody Mary and stick with straight tomato juice to avoid making your hangover worse in the long run.

What to avoid: Acidic and citrus juices – While many people automatically reach for the orange juice, it’s better to pick another type of fruit juice instead. Oranges and other citrus fruits such as grapefruit and lime are highly acidic. This high acid content can irritate a sensitive stomach and even trigger acid reflux.

15. Protein-Packed Salad

Finally, for your hungover lunch or dinner, put down the greasy pizza and opt for a healthy protein-packed salad instead. High-protein foods have been shown to help your body better handle a hangover.

Alcohol stops your body from absorbing certain amino acids. And amino acid deficiency can contribute to hangover symptoms such as fatigue, decreased concentration, low mood, and even anxiety. So given that your body breaks down protein into amino acids, high-protein foods are a good choice on a hangover.

Lean chicken, eggs, and salmon are all excellent sources of protein that work well in a salad.

Compliment the protein source with some super veggies such as avocado (for potassium), spinach (for folate), and asparagus (for its liver-protecting properties), and you’re nourishing your body and hangover and multiple ways.

That’s our guide to the best hangover foods. What are your go-to hangover food and drink cures? Let us know in the comments below.

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12 national ways to beat a hangover

• Lifestyle

Time to pay for yesterday’s party? Here’s how to deal with a hangover in different countries.

10

Italy

As a preventive measure, the ancient Romans preferred cabbage, either boiled or in seeds to be swallowed discreetly before attending a party. Modern Italians after the holiday just eat everything white (rice, spaghetti) and avoid eating red foods like tomatoes and sausages.

Spain

The Spanish conquistadors eased their future suffering with olive oil. They took it orally in small doses so that the oil would coat the walls of the stomach and prevent the alcohol from being absorbed too quickly. You can get by with native generics: sunflower or butter.

USA

Bourbon-weary Americans rejuvenate with a raw egg smoothie, a tablespoon of plain ketchup, 4-5 drops of vinegar, and tomato juice to fill a glass.

Mongolia

Mongols cured their hangovers with a cocktail of tomato juice (freshly squeezed, of course). The second and most essential ingredient was pickled sheep’s eyes. We didn’t manage to get the marinade recipe, so improvise!

France

In case of a slight hangover, the French make do with onion soup and coffee without milk, without sugar, but with salt. In severe cases, they prepare a Pig Cleaning cocktail. The recipe is simple: a dash of lemon juice plus equal parts white wine and sparkling water to make a glass of elixir.

Wales

Medieval Welsh used to eat fried pork lungs before drinking. The main feature of the recipe is that before that it was impossible to eat at all all day. Perhaps that is why pork lungs then seemed like heavenly food.

England

In foggy Albion, spinach is held in high esteem (Papai the Sailor approves). The British eat it in the morning, so that the antioxidants help the liver get rid of toxins. Rosemary tea acts as aspirin in their fight against headaches.

Finland

Finns prefer to fight a hangover with an ordinary sauna and pickled herring with beer. Do you already feel some kind of national unity?

Germany

Germans eat boiled lamb and bananas after a hangover and drink milk. Milk is often drunk before the onset of alcohol abuse.

Japan

The Japanese are saved by a kind of airborne hangover. They soak their favorite gauze bandages in the leftover sake and breathe through it until it dries. What other leftovers, you thought in bewilderment? Then drink five cups of green tea, the Japanese will advise.

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Singapore

Herbal soup has long been used to cure hangovers. The recipe is free, but it must include ginseng.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Ricans have managed to invent a cure for a hangover that does not spoil the stomach. It is necessary to take a lemon, cut it and rub the armpit with a cut – preferably the hand in which there was a glass of alcohol before. It is possible that you will need to rub both.

Text author: Andrey Nevtonov

What helps with a hangover

Hangover symptoms are probably familiar to everyone: a splitting head, the gait of Captain Jack Sparrow (if you managed to get out of bed at all), gastrointestinal upset, ringing in the ears. This condition causes many to swear that they will never drink again in their lives. And others, on the contrary, are experimenting in search of a way to avoid a hangover.

Let’s see if this is possible.

What causes a hangover?

A hangover is a consequence of alcohol poisoning of the body, when too much ethyl alcohol enters the bloodstream, various systems (primarily the liver) start processes designed to provide us with detox. It may look like the body has decided to self-destruct, but in fact it is just doing its job and doing everything so that you can open your eyes the next morning. The liver actively “breaks down” ethyl alcohol, the kidneys excrete the decay products along with the urine, some of it comes out with sweat.

But if everything works, then why is it still so bad in the morning?

The state of alcoholic intoxication is characterized by the fact that ethanol, the primary component of alcohol, disrupts the interaction of nerve cells with each other, although the details of the action of alcohol at the biochemical level remain largely unclear.

Studies have shown that ethanol is not a stimulant of the nervous system, but a sedative. The external euphoria that accompanies the use of alcoholic beverages is solely a function of the disinhibitory action of ethanol. Due to its good solubility in both water and fats, ethanol can penetrate through any cell membrane.

The first biologically active molecule found to interact with ethanol, the GABA receptor protein, was discovered in 2006. When ethanol binds to this receptor, a significant decrease in neuronal activity occurs. Interestingly, other sedatives bind to the same protein receptor.

When alcohol enters our circulatory system, it causes the pituitary gland in the brain to block the production of vasopressin (also known as antidiuretic hormone). Without this chemical, the kidneys direct water directly to the bladder rather than to the body that needs it. Thus, dehydration of the body begins, which contributes to stronger intoxication and a noticeable hangover.

When drinking about 250 ml of an alcoholic beverage, the body excretes between 800 and 1000 ml of water. That is, the loss of fluid in relation to the absorbed is 4/1.

The most convincing theory so far is that hangovers are caused by the accumulation of acetaldehyde, a toxic compound, in the body. When the body processes alcohol, the very first by-product is acetaldehyde, which is estimated to be 10 to 30 times more toxic than alcohol itself. In controlled studies, it has been found to cause symptoms such as sweating, flushing of the skin, nausea, and vomiting.

Hangovers can also be caused by how alcohol affects the immune system. Research has found a strong correlation between high levels of cytokines—molecules the immune system uses to send signals—and hangover symptoms. Normally, the body can use cytokines to induce a feverish inflammatory response to fight infection, but it appears that excessive alcohol consumption can also trigger the release of cytokines, leading to symptoms such as muscle pain, fatigue, headache, or nausea, and also to cognitive impairments such as memory loss or irritability.

How to prevent and overcome a hangover?

The easiest way: do not drink alcohol or use as little alcohol as possible. For example, one glass of wine per evening.

So far, the main treatment for a hangover or alcohol poisoning is sorbents, as well as symptomatic treatment to eliminate dehydration and water-salt imbalance. If the poisoning has become serious, then medication and detoxification can be prescribed – a special dropper with drugs selected by the doctor (rather than smoothies with cucumber and celery).

What about folk methods recommended by experts?

Treat like with like

You must have heard this advice at least once when, after a stormy night, some caring friend or relative leaves you a can of cold beer on your bedside table. Indeed, after such a “hangover” there may be a short-term relief, but only for a while: after a few minutes, the liver will start working again, and the breakdown products of alcohol will enter the bloodstream. You will only prolong your hangover. This method of folk treatment, according to scientists, dates back to the sixteenth century, when the treatment of like with like was offered to cure and prevent rabies. This recipe was also called “dog hair”: in the sixteenth century, it was believed that to prevent illness, you need to drink a decoction of the hair of the dog that bit you.

Drink more water

During a party, it is often recommended to drink at least 1 glass of water in between cocktails or other drinks. Despite the fact that there is still no data definitively confirming that enough water helps to “put off” a hangover, this advice is still valid. It will help you get over dehydration faster.

Painkillers

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help to cope with headaches and even feel like a person again. They can really help, but not all drugs are “friends” with alcohol, even if there is not much left in the blood. Read the instructions and drug compatibility carefully if you decide to use a magic pill: some active substance molecules, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can create an additional burden on the liver and the entire gastrointestinal tract.