Hangover cures: Alcohol recovery myths debunked and how best to rally after a heavy night

Rachel Hosie
·3 min read

‘Tis the season for parties, prosecco and, sadly, punishing hangovers.

As we spend our nights flitting from office do to family get-together to drinks with schoolmates, our days are inevitably spent with pounding heads and nauseous stomachs.

Yesterday was in fact the most hungover day of the year, when the most people are talking about their hangovers online.

The trouble is, each person you speak to has a different supposed cure, from fry-ups to hair of the dog.

According to nutritionist Amanda Hamilton, there truly are certain foods that help cure a hangover.

Top 10 foods to beat a hangover:

  1. Coconut water

  2. Greek yoghurt

  3. Oats

  4. Nut butter

  5. Soup

  6. Salmon

  7. Avocado

  8. Eggs

  9. Tomatoes

  10. Sourdough bread

It’s not just about what you eat though - there are other things you can do too.

Tips to get over a hangover

1. Drink lots of water

“Sip throughout the day, aiming for approximately 1.5-2 litres each day, but remember you’ll get some of this from food,” says Hamilton. Your urine should be straw coloured - any darker and you’re dehydrated.

2. Choose your breakfast wisely

If you can stomach food in the morning, Hamilton recommends eggs with avocado and tomatoes. Most of us, however, crave carbs on a hangover, so if you fancy toast, Hamilton recommends sourdough as it’s easier on a sensitive stomach. Toast with nut butter is a simple and healthy option too.

“If you can’t face food first thing, start with a homemade smoothie with a coconut water to hydrate and replenish lost electrolytes together with banana and spinach, or vitamin C rich berries,” Hamilton advises.

3. Exercise will help

Hamilton recommends a short HIIT workout when hungover, if the prospect of moving doesn’t make you feel nauseous.

“It won’t speed up the rate that alcohol is metabolised or detoxified but the endorphin release could boost your mood. Just keep water handy so you don’t become even more dehydrated.”

4. Take a bath with magnesium salts

If nothing else works, pop magnesium salts into the tub and take a long, hot bath.Then just go back to bed.

And what about all the supposed cures that people harp on about? Well, there are a lot of myths around.

Hangover cure myths debunked

Coffee

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Caffeine may help wake you up, but two main symptoms of a hangover are nausea and tremors, both of which are made worse by caffeine.

Hair of the dog

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“Although a hangover is very different from alcohol withdrawal, it might produce acute discontinuation syndrome, which a little alcohol could relieve,” leading Harley Street nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert explained to The Independent.

“However, this isn’t a good long-term strategy and isn't something I would ever recommend,” she adds. Ah.

Lambert explains that the severity of your hangover is impacted by your blood alcohol level, as well as the quantity and speed at which you drank.

“The actual hangover reaches a high when the blood alcohol level returns to zero and this is when those feelings and side effects begin,” she says. “So ultimately, all you’re doing is delaying the inevitable and prolonging the headache.”

A full English

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According to a study from earlier this year, a big greasy fry-up could be the best way to make you feel better after a night of drinking.

The study - carried out by British Lion eggs - found that more than a third of Brits recovered in less than three hours after eating a full English, compared to 19 per cent who just took painkillers.

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try

You will need: 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 stick of celery, 1 cup of mushrooms, 4 to 6 eggs, 1 habanero chilli (optional), 1 tablespoon of oil, 25g of grated low-fat cheese, 150 ml of skimmed milk, 50g of turkey breast. Add some spinach for an extra boost. <p>Method:</p>1)Cook your turkey breast so that it’s ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as it’s healthier than shallow frying.2)Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3)Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4)Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C. (DW Fitness Clubs)
Be careful when you buy your porridge, as some brands will cram a lot of sugar in there. Porridge is a good breakfast option as it is renowned for releasing energy slowly, which means you can get to lunch without suffering from a lull. A great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins, bananas are always a good accompaniment to your morning oats. (DW Fitness Clubs)
Ingredients: 2 full eggs, 3 egg whites, asparagus, peppers, 50g of smoked salmon<p>Method</p>1)Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes.2)Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3)Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture.4)Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper.5)Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil.6)Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes.7)Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top.8)Serve with your smoked salmon. (DW Fitness)
Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurt’s credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. (DW Fitness)
Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurt’s credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. (DW Fitness)
Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation. (DW Fitness)
Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation. (DW Fitness)
So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of “healthy fats”, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day. (DW Fitness )
So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of “healthy fats”, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day. (DW Fitness )

However, a systematic review published by the British Medical Journal concluded that there is no evidence that any real cure for a hangover exists.

But, Lambert says, “you can help your body to feel wonderful again by eating well and hydrating the body.”

Then we can all be back on the tiles as quickly as a 19-year-old at the start of Freshers’ Week.