To cure a hangover, the only true remedy is time, as your body needs hours to clear alcohol toxins and recover fully. However, several strategies can help alleviate symptoms and support recovery:
Key Steps to Relieve a Hangover
- Rehydrate: Alcohol causes dehydration, so drinking plenty of water is essential. Drinking water before bed and upon waking helps reduce symptoms like headache and dry mouth. Electrolyte-rich drinks or sports drinks can also replenish lost salts and minerals
- Eat Carbohydrates and Nutritious Foods: Alcohol lowers blood sugar, which can cause dizziness and fatigue. Eating bland, carb-rich foods like toast, crackers, or cereal helps restore blood sugar. Nutrient-rich foods and fruit provide vitamins and antioxidants that aid recovery
- Rest: Sleep helps your body heal and reduces fatigue caused by alcohol’s disruption of normal sleep patterns
- Take Pain Relievers Carefully: Over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin can relieve headaches, but avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol) as it can harm the liver when alcohol is still in your system. Use painkillers cautiously to avoid stomach irritation
- Avoid More Alcohol: The “hair of the dog” (drinking more alcohol) may delay hangover symptoms but ultimately worsens the condition
Additional Tips
- Consider Korean Pear Juice or Ginseng: Some studies suggest Korean pear juice before drinking may reduce hangover severity, and ginseng might alleviate symptoms, though evidence is limited
- Limit Caffeine: Moderate caffeine intake may help alertness but avoid excess as it can worsen dehydration
- Gentle Exercise and Cold Showers: Light physical activity and brief cold showers may improve circulation and alertness, but avoid strenuous exercise
Summary
The best approach to curing a hangover is to rehydrate, eat to restore blood sugar, rest, and use pain relievers carefully. There is no instant cure, and symptoms usually resolve within 24 hours
. Preventing hangovers by drinking moderately and hydrating during alcohol consumption is the most effective strategy
. This combination of hydration, nutrition, rest, and symptom management is the recommended way to ease hangover discomfort.