How to "cure" a hangover?
Hangovers are the worst. But have you ever wondered, what exactly is it and what causes it?
You wake up feeling exhausted, and likely with one or an array of symptoms such as a pounding headache, sensitivity to light and nausea.
While there's no single, foolproof way to cure a hangover, here's a number of popular remedies that you can try out to ease the discomfort and pain.
Hydrate yourself
Given that alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it increases the amount of urine you pass, it often results in dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes in your system.
Dehydration can exacerbate hangover symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. Drinking water or electrolyte-rich drinks such as isotonic beverages or coconut water, helps to replenish fluids and electrolytes that were lost after a night of drinks.
Isotonic drinks are packed with electrolytes such as magnesium, sodium and potassium which help to regulate fluid levels, elevate blood glucose levels and even lift your energy levels.
What not to drink? Definitely alcohol.
For some, the solution to a hangover is the "hair of the dog" - if you drink more of the liquid that caused the pain (i.e. alcohol), the pain of the hangover will subside.
Yet scientists[1][2] have debunked this theory, by explaining that consuming additional alcohol simply delays the hangover symptoms, and that the symptoms will eventually return (and perhaps for the worse).
Fuel up
Does heavy, greasy food really help?
Often touted as yet another method to ease hangover symptoms, fried or greasy food like burgers or bacon might worsen your hangover especially if you're feeling nauseous.
Instead, opt for fast-digesting, blander carbohydrates such as toast or crackers which can not only help to relieve nausea but also elevate blood sugar levels and counter the fatigue and weakness you feel.
And perhaps you might want to stock up on foods that are rich in potassium to replenish what's been lost over a night of drinking. Potassium is a key mineral that helps to maintain fluid levels in the body and regular movement of nutrients and waste products in and out of our cells.
With about 450mg[3] of potassium, a medium-sized banana[4] is likely to have a positive effect on your post-alcohol fatigue, dehydration and even dizziness.
Or try having some oats. Loaded with nutrients and minerals like magnesium, B-vitamins, calcium and more, consuming oats allows your body to catch up on nutrient absorption that it missed out on the night before.
To add on, oats also contain helpful anti-inflammatory fibres called beta-glucans that could potentially help to reduce inflammation caused by the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism.
Get extra sleep
It's a known fact that alcohol affects the quality of sleep[5][6], so it's not uncommon to feel exhausted the morning after drinking.
In fact, a study[7] conducted on Dutch university students found that reduced sleep time (as a result of poor sleep quality caused by alcohol consumption) was associated with the severity of the next-day hangover.
Additionally, the toxic effects of alcohol metabolism[8] can contribute to the fatigue you feel during a hangover. While sleep isn't a proven way to cure a hangover, getting extra rest and sufficient sleep has its benefits.
A nap will aid in replenishing your energy, increasing your alertness and even reducing any feelings of anxiety caused by alcohol.
If anything, your body needs time to process the alcohol you've consumed and regulate its system back to normal, and the only natural way to do that is by rest.
Pop a pain reliever
One of the reasons you're probably experiencing a pounding headache as part of your hangover is inflammation caused by toxic byproducts released during the breakdown of alcohol[9].
To relieve the pain, taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain reliever (NSAIDs) could be an option. Aspirin or ibuprofen can reduce the severity of your alcohol-induced headache and muscle aches.
That said, it's important not to overdo it - after all, such medication can irritate your stomach that's likely already irritated by alcohol and may trigger feelings of nausea.
As another point to note, avoid pain relievers that contain acetaminophen such as Tylenol or Panadol. If the alcohol concentration is sufficiently high or when taken in excess, acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver and cause damage[10].
Prevention is better than cure!
As common as hangovers are, decades of research have yet to truly pinpoint an explanation for its cause.
In the same way, there unfortunately hasn't been a proven method to rid your hangover symptoms immediately.
But why not prevent one from happening at all.
Bounceback, a 100% natural and organic pill that's focused on your post-alcohol recovery and getting you back on track after a night of drinks, is the supplement you're looking for.
Containing a medley of 22 vitamins, antioxidants and herbal extracts in a single capsule, this clinically-tested remedy includes key ingredients that are designed to counteract the negative effects of alcohol metabolism (basically toxins that trigger your hangover symptoms), protect your liver as well as replenish your body with essentials.
Take two capsules before drinking and two after, and you'll wake up feeling the difference.
If you're serious about bidding hangovers goodbye, get started on Bounceback today.
References:
[1] Can you cure a hangover? Scientist debunks a popular drinking myth
[2] NCBI
[3] Bananas
[4] Phyto Journal
[10] T&F Online