Red ginseng temporarily speeds up the body’s metabolizing of ethanol, the intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic drinks. One study examined blood alcohol levels across a night of drinking, comparing people who had taken red ginseng to those given a placebo. Blood alcohol levels were lower in the ginseng group, and hangover symptoms were less severe. A hangover is unpleasant, but symptoms tend to go away within a day or so.
- Thus, it can help reverse the diuretic effects of alcohol and thereby ease your hangover symptoms.
- The breakfast staple contains an amino acid that can counteract some of the toxicity of alcohol.
- That’s because it may help lower your chances of getting kidney stones.
Related Content
Researchers found that hangovers were worse after a night of drinking bourbon compared to a night of drinking vodka. Bananas are a how long does a hangover last good source of potassium, an important electrolyte that can get depleted after drinking. Low electrolyte levels can contribute to hangover symptoms like fatigue, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, and low energy.
Try Tomato Juice
« Staying hydrated and replacing electrolytes are the fastest ways to feel better if you are hungover. » There isn’t a defined amount you need to drink, says Mia Mattioli, MD, a physician at Huntington Hospital in California. Drinking water alongside your alcoholic drinks can also help, because it will both keep you hydrated and likely reduce how much alcohol you consume, Mattioli says. While dehydration isn’t the only cause of a hangover, it is a major one.
Free Healthbeat Signup
It is always best to obtain these nutrients from food rather than supplementation, especially given marketed ‘hangover’ products may not have been assessed for safety and efficacy. These toxins not only worsen your hangover but may increase stomach irritation too. All alcohol can cause hangovers, but dark drinks (such as port or dark spirits) tend to be the worst offenders. This is because they contain congeners – chemicals which contribute to their taste, colour and aroma, but which break down in the body to form toxic compounds.
You can make your own rehydration drink by dissolving six level teaspoons of sugar and half a level teaspoon of salt in one litre of water and sip Sober living house throughout the day. No one would advocate excessive drinking, but there are times when even the best of us have a few too many. Whether you’ve gone overboard, or can see a heavy night on the cards, follow our expert tips on how to recover from a hangover. As well as a headache, nausea, tiredness and dehydration, hangovers can also leave people struggling to concentrate, feeling irritable and sensitive to light.
- While you may have had a great night out, now it’s time to wade through the motions of regret, self-pity and a heavy head.
- If you’re finding it difficult to replenish your body’s essential minerals through food and drinks alone, you can take some supplements.
- “Commercial ginger ale contains very little actual ginger and a lot of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, which is not healthy,” Dr. Schweig says.
And if you find that hangovers are affecting your work or relationships, talk to your doctor about your drinking. Most supplements mentioned are safe for individuals with alcohol allergies, but it’s important to check labels. Capsules and powders are usually alcohol-free, while liquid tinctures may contain alcohol-based extractions. Liver-supporting supplements, B vitamins and electrolytes are generally safe, but some herbal extracts and liquid B12 formulas may include alcohol as a preservative. To be cautious, opt for alcohol-free versions, avoid tinctures and consult a healthcare provider if unsure.
- You should drink plenty of water when you wake up in the morning and include some bland fluids in your diet as well.
- Symptoms of a hangover can be mild or serious, depending on how much and what you drank.
- These are by-products of fermentation, which cause toxic effects in their own right.
- Alcohol messes with your sleep, and that lack of rest leaves you fatigued.
- Some people say that getting fluids through an IV can help ease hangover symptoms.
If you can’t face food, a bowl of breakfast cereal fortified with folate and iron should help to redress some of the damage and lift your energy levels. Alcohol can also cause dehydration, which is also the underlying cause of many troublesome symptoms, such as headaches and dizziness. Moreover, alcohol can also harm your brain, liver, central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, and sensory perception. The best thing is to avoid drinking, but you can still learn how to get rid of a hangover or at least make it more manageable. There is some evidence that alcohol with more congeners, the substance that flavors and colors drinks, leads to more severe hangover symptoms.
Fortunately, there are several ways to relieve symptoms of a hangover, as well as steps you can take to prevent or limit it. Studies show that if you smoke cigarettes while you drink, you may get a worse hangover. Researchers don’t know why, but they think it may have to do with how nicotine works on your nervous system. Use caution before taking hangover supplements and vitamins. Alcohol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a substance that’s toxic at high levels. However, concentrations rarely get that high, so that’s not the complete explanation.
It also accelerates the detoxification process and alleviates the symptoms of a hangover. Take fresh peppermint leaves and chew on them throughout the day to get good results. You can also make a peppermint tea to get similar results. The amount of congeners you end up consuming depends on what you drink. « Congeners occur more frequently in dark alcohol, » Dr. Schweig says.
Take an over-the-counter painkiller.
« Everything in moderation until you determine if it makes you feel better, » agrees Dr. Brick. « Remember, you body went through a lot last night and making it work more the next day may not be helpful. » For an upset stomach and to help restore electrolyte balances, sipping on bone broth can help to relieve hangover symptoms.