Is your hangover cure making things WORSE?
| Date | 15 December 2020 |
| Published date | 15 December 2020 |
| Publication title | Express, The/The Express on Sunday |
This can lead to diarrhoea, nausea and palpitations - all of which will intensify your hangover.
It's far better to stick to water - although some swear by flat lemonade or squash. Fresh ginger tea is also good for nausea. If you're really dehydrated, try rehydration sachets to replace lost minerals and salt.
Energy drinks Don't be tempted to hydrate with sports drinks as they are often high in sugar. Some brands contain as much as 45g - or 9 tsp - of sugar per 500ml can, which will cause your blood sugar levels to soar and crash, especially if you haven't eaten.
Even the sugar-free varieties are loaded with high amounts of caffeine and other stimulants that can leave you feeling jittery (and cause diarrhoea).
The hair of the dog While some people claim drinking more alcohol eases their symptoms, this will simply 'top up' your blood alcohol level, so extending the time you have alcohol on board, and you'll still get a bad hangover when the alcohol wears off again.
Meanwhile, routine 'hair of the dog' drinking can lead to increased tolerance of alcohol and drinking more each time.
If you've had a heavy drinking session, hangover or not, you should wait at least 48 hours before drinking any more alcohol to give your body time to recover from the abuse.
Attempting to 'sweat it out' No amount of exercise can reduce the effects of a hangover - it's more likely to make your symptoms worse as 'sweating it out' will only further dehydrate you.
"A bracing walk in the fresh air will help clear a thick head - but too much exercise can put strain on a heart that may already be feeling under stress," warns Dr Sally Norton, NHS consultant and founder of wellbeing website vavista.com. "So, moderation is key - both in the amount you drink and the attempts you make to overcome the after-effects."
A 'morning after' fry-up The age-old advice to eat before boozing is one worth following because drinking on an empty stomach leads to alcohol being absorbed twice as fast into the bloodstream. "A good meal, particularly one high in fats, will slow down the absorption of alcohol," says Dr Norton.
"And if we feel full, we may also be less tempted to over-do the drink." But choose your food and snacks much more carefully the next day. A salty bacon sandwich...
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