12 Remedies to Reduce Hangovers (That Work)

A hangover is the feeling of discomfort that alcohol consumption brings., which produces symptoms such as headache, nausea, irritability or tiredness. Although it is not possible to say exactly how much alcohol causes a hangover, it is known that there is a correlation, that is, the greater the consumption, the greater the probability of the appearance of a hangover.

The causes of this discomfort are different, from dehydration, due to increased loss of fluids; increased level of the toxic acetaldehyde; fragmentation of sleep or intestinal irritation. It has been tested with some remedies to try to reduce the symptoms associated with the sensation of hangover such as resting, drinking water or electrolyte-rich beverages to hydrate, or eating food antioxidants.

Even so, no remedy has proven scientific efficacy. For this reason, the best action against a hangover is not to drink alcohol or to do so in a moderate and controlled way. In this article we will talk about a hangover, what symptoms are linked to this state, what causes it and what remedies or actions we can take to reduce it.

• We recommend you read: "How to get rid of a hangover and the urge to vomit (in 7 tips)"

What do we mean by hangover?

We understand by hangover the feeling, symptoms and signs that appear after alcohol consumption. The symptoms related to the hangover generate discomfort in the subject that can affect their functionality, that is, to see their normal performance affected during the duration of the symptomatology. The feeling of discomfort usually lasts a day and its appearance will depend on the amount of alcohol.

Not every time you consume alcohol you will have a hangover, the probability increases with a greater amount consumed, although we cannot know with certainty. Exactly what quantity is necessary, different variables influence such as the type of alcohol or the personal characteristics of the consumer. Regarding the symptomatology, the subject can be: tired, with a headache, weak, feeling thirsty, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vertigo, stomach pain, anxiety, irritability, increased sensitivity to noise or light, among others symptom.

This state of discomfort is usually linked to different causes such as: dehydration, alcohol increases urinary frequency and with it the loss of liquid; fragmented and less restful sleep; gastrointestinal irritation, due to increased release of acids; increased body inflammation; appearance of acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product that produces inflammation of organs; sensation of withdrawal, with symptoms contrary to those produced during consumption.

How to get rid of a hangover?

Having raised the symptoms that can be linked to a hangover and the causes that most frequently produce it, We can try some remedies that help reduce the symptoms and discomfort related to this condition. We must point out that there is no remedy that has been shown to be effective, which means that no remedy assures us to reduce or remove the hangover. For this reason, the best remedy for not having a hangover is to drink in a controlled way.

As we have said, the amount of alcohol is directly correlated with the symptoms of a hangover. For this reason, if we reduce the amount of alcohol consumed, it is less likely to have a hangover. Likewise, the variable that has shown the greatest influence and efficacy in reducing hangovers is time, in other words Thus, after a few hours, normally 24 hours, the body recovers and the discomfort decreases without the need for intervention. Let's see what strategies can be useful to reduce the discomfort associated with a hangover.

1. Drink slowly and on a full stomach

To try to avoid or reduce a hangover, we can try to act preventively, that is, ensuring that the symptoms do not appear. Drink slowly, slowly, in order to have more control and be able to notice when the alcohol is taking effect and we don't need to drink more.

It is recommended, before starting to consume, to set the amount that you are going to drink, for example two beers, in this way it is more likely to be able to maintain control. In addition, another factor to consider is eating before drinking, that is, do not start consuming on an empty stomach, since in this way the effect may be greater.

2. Drinking water

As we saw, one of the causes of a hangover is dehydration or fluid loss, therefore it is very important that we increase our water consumption to try to counteract the effect. It is recommended to drink water while we are consuming alcohol, in this way we will recover the lost liquid and reduce dehydration. Similarly, drinking water during alcohol consumption also helps reduce the amount of alcohol consumed.

Likewise, during a hangover, after consumption, it is also good to continue drinking water and hydrate. Start drinking water when you wake up and continue drinking throughout the day. The intention is not to drink a lot at once but rather a small amount but continuously, so that little by little the body recovers.

3. electrolyte solutions

In order to hydrate ourselves, another strategy is to drink isotonic drinks, which are usually drunk by athletes, since they show a higher level of salts and potassium, thus helping to recover optimal levels corporal.

4. To rest

As we have mentioned, a symptom linked to a hangover is tiredness and sleep disturbance, which is more fragmented. For this reason, sleep helps reduce feelings of discomfort and encourage the body to recover. As we know, time is the variable that is most related to the reduction of hangovers, when we sleep, time passes faster. Since our functioning is also affected, we may feel slower and more difficult to do homework, try to sleep and take the opportunity to rest may be the best option to spend the hangover.

5. Avoid certain medications

We have already said that there is no need to perform any intervention or take a medication to reduce a hangover. But if the headache, the discomfort produced, is very intense and it becomes difficult for us to bear we can take a medicine, but we must know what drugs we can take and which ones are better avoid. It is not recommended to take any medicine that contains paracetamol, since it causes liver damage, that is, in the liver, if it interacts with alcohol.

If you need a medication to relieve symptoms, it is better to opt for an ibuprofen, since its anti-inflammatory effect helps reduce discomfort and is not so harmful to the liver.

6. Avoid congeners

This recommendation is also prior to consumption or during consumption. We must try to avoid alcoholic beverages rich in congeners, which are toxic substances such as ketones, methanol or the aforementioned acetaldehyde, which increase the probability of the appearance of a hangover. These drinks high in these components are: whiskey, tequila or cognac.

7. avoid coffee

Coffee is a diuretic, which means that it increases fluid loss. For this reason, given that, as we have seen, hangovers are linked to dehydration, it is recommended to avoid coffee consumption and try to drink water or other types of beverages such as juices or broths.

8. Get a shower

It can also help to take a good shower. Showers have been found to help you loosen up, feel cleaner, relax your muscles, and relieve headaches. The pressure of the water jet and the vapors will help you feel better and be able to face the day better.

9. Consumption of antioxidant foods

It has been observed that alcohol consumption produces oxidative stress, which translates as an increase of free radicals linked to the appearance of diseases such as cancer or problems cardiac. In this way, eating foods that act as antioxidants, help reduce the adverse effects of alcohol, can be favorable. Some of these foods are: fruits such as cherries, grapes or pomegranates; carrots; spinach; pure chocolate or dried fruit such as walnuts.

10. drink tea

Linked to the previous point, with antioxidant foods, it is recommended to drink tea, black, green or red. This can be a good alternative to coffee consumption, as it can also act as a stimulant, helping us to activate us, to feel more energetic, but without the diuretic effects that, as we have mentioned, coffee shows.

11. eat something

Eating breakfast, eating something when we wake up, can help regulate blood sugar levels. The body, by breaking down alcohol, generates lactic acid as a product, which in turn produces a reduction in glucose levels, sugar, linked to hangover symptoms. It is not known precisely what foods are the most recommended, but we will try to eat those that we have mentioned as antioxidants and healthy foods, since they provide vitamins and minerals that help restore the state of the body.

12. not consume alcohol

This point serves as a summary. The remedies mentioned may be helpful but none have proven scientific efficacy. On the other hand, we know what effects alcohol consumption has, and more so the excessive consumption that is usually linked to a hangover, what it does to our body and how it damages it. Thus, it is recommended not to consume alcohol or to do so moderately, in low amounts. Alcohol is a drug and as such it alters our nervous system, it can create addiction and all the symptoms that this entails.