Fatty, carbohydrate-filled foods, such as pizza and pasta, are best for preventing hangovers, as fat slows your body’s absorption of alcohol. [1] X Research source However, if you are trying to eat healthily, go for oily fish that contain healthy fatty acids, such as salmon, trout and mackerel. [2] X Research source
Vitamin B supplements can be found in most drug stores and supermarkets, or you can increase your intake of B vitamins naturally by eating liver, meat and other animal products, such as milk and cheese.
Alternatively, you can increase your intake of olive oil less directly by dipping some crusty bread into it, or drizzling it over a salad.
Cocktails are particularly lethal, as they usually contain two or more alcohols mixed together. If you can’t resist the bright colors and tiny umbrellas, try to at least limit yourself to a maximum of two Cosmopolitans!
Have a big glass of water before you start drinking, then try to drink a glass of water for every alcoholic drink that you have over the course of the night. Your body will thank you for it in the morning. Drinking water in between alcoholic drinks will also slow the speed of your alcohol consumption, preventing you from drinking too much too quickly.
Even though regular mixers are better than diet versions, fruit juice is a better option than either. Juice is uncarbonated - which is good as any carbonated beverage increases the speed of alcohol absorption - while it also contains a certain amount of vitamins, which certainly doesn’t hurt.
If you’re at an event such as a wedding and you can’t resist a little bubbly, try drinking just one glass of champagne during the toast and drink a different alcohol for the rest of the evening.
Pay attention to how different types of alcohol affect you. No matter what the studies say, every person’s ability to metabolize alcohol differs and you’ll know by experience which beer, wine, spirit, or liqueur works for you or plays havoc with your body. Listen to your own body’s reactions and take care accordingly. Keep in mind that regardless of all the preventative measures you can take, the only surefire way to avoid a hangover is not to drink at all. Failing that, you should pay close attention to quantity - the less alcohol consumed, the better your chances of avoiding a hangover. Simple as.
The next morning, regardless of how you feel, drink another big glass of water. Drink it at room temperature if water from the fridge is too hard on your stomach. You can also rehydrate and replace lost electrolytes by drinking energy drinks or coconut water. Flat ginger ale will help soothe an upset tummy, while orange juice will give you energy. [11] X Research source Avoid caffeine the morning after drinking, as this can dehydrate you more.
You should also eat fresh fruit to get the benefits of their high vitamin and water content. If you’re on the go, try a fruit smoothie - healthy and satisfying! Avoid sugary and greasy foods to help your body reset.
It will take your body several hours to metabolize the alcohol, so you might as well sleep through a couple of them and hopefully you’ll feel much better when you wake up!
Some people even advocate exercise as a great hangover cure, so if you’re up for it, try breaking into a run and sweating out the toxins. Not for the faint of heart!
Never take acetaminophen-based pills when you have alcohol in your system, as mixing these two substances can be very dangerous. [13] X Research source Drinking the next day can have the effect of making you feel better, but remember that your body will have to metabolize all of the alcohol in your system at some point, so drinking more is simply prolonging the pain of recovery.
