People suffering from alcohol-induced headaches, nausea, and fatigue are desperate to do anything to alleviate their debilitating hangover symptoms.
It is believed that consuming a cup of coffee and a greasy breakfast will make us feel instantaneously better, while the bold declares that “hair of the dog” is the magic cure.
According to the producers of a new £1 pill, it is potent enough to leave drinkers feeling refreshed after a night of heavy drinking.
But can magic cures eliminate the severe effects of a hangover, or is time the only remedy you can count on? MailOnline has decided to examine the evidence, so thank us for the next time you’re feeling sorry for yourself after a night out.
“Cures” for a hangover you should AVOID
Case of the fleas
Continued drinking in the morning following a night of heavy drinking has long been recommended as a means of avoiding headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
The method is founded on the idiom “hair of the dog that bit you,” with proponents believing that hangovers are simply a form of alcohol withdrawal. According to this view, the source of a disease might also be the treatment for it.
Some specialists, such as Dr. Robert Swift of the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Rhode Island, have asserted that there is a method to the madness.
This, however, is predicated on the fact that alcohol can have the same effect on brain cells as potent sedatives such as Valium, which cause withdrawal symptoms when they wear off.
Alcohol can also increase endorphins, which function as natural painkillers and can temporarily mask hangover symptoms.
However, professionals, including Dr. Swift, have long disregarded the homeopathic-style treatment since it does not allow the alcoholic to rehabilitate.
They assert that people will eventually have to stop drinking or face a hangover that is even more severe than the one they were experiencing.
Hangover supplements
Hangover-busting medication Myrkl was on sale yesterday in the United Kingdom, but it is not the only medicine that claims to miraculously cure a hangover.
Dozens of pills, powders, and stick-on patches are advertised with the bold claims that they would ‘prevent your head from pounding’ and ‘supply hydration to the bloodstream faster and more effectively than water’
Supposedly, natural medicines such as ginseng and clove extract can also alleviate the symptoms.
While some may swear by them, the science is not particularly solid.
A team of researchers from King’s College London examined 21 studies in which participants were either given a supplement or a placebo.
Even though a few of the publications demonstrated that they effectively alleviated hangovers, they were of poor quality and beset by problems such as imprecise measurements.
No two investigations found the same treatment, indicating that the findings have not been reproduced – a crucial step in the scientific method required to ensure that the results were not due to chance.
In the instance of Myrkl’s £1 pill, which must be taken before consuming alcohol, the Swedish producer claims that the research is sound.
It consists of the bacteria Bacillus Coagulans and Bacillus Subtilis as well as the amino acid L-Cysteine, which breaks down alcohol into water and carbon dioxide.
Those who took two pills and drank two glasses of wine had 70% less alcohol in their bloodstreams one hour later than those who did not take the supplement.
The supplement functions for the next 12 hours by breaking down alcohol in the intestines before it reaches the liver.
Dr. Duane Mellor, a nutritionist at Aston Medical School in Birmingham, told MailOnline, “Although studies suggest L-cysteine may aid alcohol metabolism, there are presently no approved health claims in Europe or the United Kingdom that would allow this claim to be used for marketing.
And it would be crucial to understand how the bacteria in the pill can metabolize alcohol, given the ‘harsh environment’ of the stomach and small intestine kills many microorganisms, as he explained. Those who survive may take longer to become active, according to Dr. Mellor.
He said, “Although this sounds intriguing, the paucity of data and published trials suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may be the key to avoiding a hangover.”
Coffee
Those who are hungover and trying to stay awake may resort to coffee to get through the day. However, experts caution that a mug may make children worse off.
Coffee, like alcohol, is a diuretic, which means it causes people to urinate more frequently.
In addition, alcohol inhibits the release of vasopressin, a hormone that regulates hydration levels.
Those suffering from a hangover are generally already dehydrated, so consuming a flat white may exacerbate their headache.
In addition, coffee constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure, which may exacerbate headaches.
Dr. Jenna Macciochi, a nutrition expert at the University of Sussex, told MailOnline that while coffee may temporarily make you feel better — more awake, especially when alcohol impacts sleep quality, it may also dehydrate you further.
However, other specialists continue to recommend coffee as a remedy for the fatigue caused by a hangover the following day.
Hangover “cures” that MIGHT genuinely help
Consume a full English
After a night out, the idea of devouring sausage, bacon, and eggs can make some individuals queasy.
However, the high-protein foods contained in full English contain cysteine, an amino acid that can reduce the quantity of acetaldehyde, the byproduct of alcohol metabolism produced by the liver.
According to advocates of a fatty breakfast, eating also increases energy and blood sugar levels, which can combat fatigue.
And nausea after drinking is typically induced by an empty stomach; so, in theory, eating can also help, even if it’s not appetizing.
Ian Hamilton, a specialist in addiction at the University of York, told MailOnline that while eating will alleviate a hangover, a classic fry-up is not as effective as something more nutritional.
Foods such as chicken, turkey, and yogurt are also rich in the amino acid cysteine, which could help alleviate hangover symptoms and be better for your waistline.
Water-dense fruits including watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, and cucumber can also aid in rehydration.
Enhancing gut health during a hangover, as stated by Dr. Macciochi, is crucial. She said that alcohol disrupts both the gut barrier and gut flora, which can lead to increased inflammation and make you feel worse.
However, Dr. Macciochi stated that she would choose fiber-rich plant foods and fermented foods over a greasy fry-up.
Kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir would be excellent choices. Simply search for ones that have not been pasteurized or have additional sugars, since these may nullify their health benefits,’ she advised.
Consume a lot of water
Even though some hangover symptoms are caused by dehydration, drinking water during a night out or when hungover is commonly overlooked.
However, specialists regard this as the essential step to alleviate hangover symptoms. And they advise drinking a pint of water before bedtime.
Others recommend consuming water or a non-carbonated soft drink in between alcoholic drinks to mitigate the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
As the body loses important fluids owing to the diuretic action of alcohol, it is crucial to replenish lost fluids.
Mr. Hamilton stated, “Your body treats alcohol as a toxin, so it will prioritize its processing.”
‘Proper hydration is the most effective strategy to alleviate hangover symptoms.
Idealistically, drinking water immediately after taking alcohol is the ideal course of action, however, this will often be forgotten or unappealing.
Dehydration is not the only cause of a hangover, so although doctors strongly advocate it, the data is not entirely in its favor.
Dutch researchers analyzed the hangover behaviors of 800 students and discovered that even though more than half ate food and two-thirds drank water, their hangovers were not mitigated.
According to the researchers, this is because dehydration is only one cause of hangover symptoms. When the liver transforms alcohol into the harmful chemical acetaldehyde, headaches, nausea, and vomiting also occur. As acetaldehyde is transformed into less hazardous molecules, symptoms of a hangover diminish.
Take painkillers
Taking medications such as ibuprofen can help alleviate hangover-related headaches and other aches and pains.
It was discovered as one of the world’s most popular painkillers after Boots pharmacist Dr. Stewart Adams used it to relieve his hangover before an important speech more than 50 years ago.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) act by inhibiting the generation of prostaglandins, a molecule that promotes inflammation in the body.
Anti-inflammatory medications have been proved to mitigate the effects of alcohol and relieve aches and pains following a night out, but health officials warn that they can irritate the stomach lining. Therefore, the medicine must only be used with food.
However, Mr. Hamilton stated, “The best remedy for a hangover is to drink less in the first place.
However, this is difficult, as we all know that drinking weakens our commitment. However, if you can, avoid spirits and certain inexpensive wines that contain chemicals that increase the likelihood of hangover symptoms.
However, experts advise patients to avoid taking paracetamol. According to a Harvard health advice page, if alcohol is still present in the body, it may exacerbate the harmful effects of acetaminophen on the liver.
