It’s no secret that I like to have a drink.
Or 5. But I deserve it this week!
While overindulging isn’t the healthiest thing for your body, let’s be honest… it happens to the best of us. I’ve personally done some research – all for YOU, of course – and have found 10 Hangover Cures that REALLY work.
1. Water
Water during drinking (1:1 ratio!). Water before drinking. Water after drinking. Just do it.
Hangovers are a product of dehydration and toxins. Water will help you rehydrate and flush out toxins.
2. Kombucha
Ever hear of “hair of the dog”? Drinking away a hangover is a thing, but it will only lead to a hangover when you come down from round two. That’s where kombucha comes in.
Kombucha has a small amount of alcohol in it, thus taking a bit of the edge off. It also contains sugar, which can help with the hypoglycemic state all that booze put you in.
Kombucha does get expensive. I used this kit to brew my own. I’ve had my scoby for 4 years!
No kombucha? Try juice or fruit to help replenish your body of sugar (my mom swears by orange juice).
3. Sweat
Vegas thinks I’m nuts, but if you can pry yourself get out of bed and go for a run or jump on an elliptical you will feel SO much better. It helps you to sweat out toxins and releases endorphins (alcohol is a depressant!). Just make sure you have a giant glass of water before and after. Remember, you’re dehydrated!
I actually used to have a rule that I had to run a mile for every drink I’d had. I’ll let you guess at what mile I called it quits on that policy…
4. Morning Cocktail
I swear by my morning cocktail. I have it every morning no matter what, but it’s especially good after a night of over-indulging. Even Vegas swears by it.
Two reasons: the apple cider vinegar helps to detoxify you (*ahem* it gets things “moving”) and regulates blood sugar, and the BCAAs give you nutrients and energy. I swear it’s better than coffee. Plus, coffee is dehydrating. You’re already dehydrated.
5. B-12
I’m not talking about that wussy 250mg stuff you let dissolve under the tongue. Go get some of that liquid Ultra B-12 and take 2 droppers full, before and after drinking.
B-12 is like the miracle vitamin for drinkers. Here’s why:
- It plays a vital role in converting carbohydrates to glucose (sugar), which is the main energy source for a healthy metabolism and overall healthy functions of the body.
- Alcohol can deplete your red blood cell count, which is what makes you lightheaded and tired. B-12 helps the liver metabolize alcohol more effectively by getting your red blood cell count back up to a healthy level.
- It helps your brain and nervous system function. I don’t think I need to tell you that those are are pretty important.
You know how you have NO energy after a night of drinking? Taking B12 vitamins can also relieve that symptom, along with eating foods rich in carbohydrates. Which brings me to…
6. Toast
Skip the greasy food, but do have some carbs. It helps bring your blood sugar levels up. Your poor, sweet liver is busy metabolizing all that booze and can’t handle the extra work producing glucose. This means your blood sugar levels stay down, and you feel like shit.
Listen to your mother. Eat some toast.
7. Ibuprofen
I know your head hurts. Take some drugs. Just do NOT pop anything with acetaminophen. It can cause liver problems when it mixes with alcohol. Opt for ibuprofen. And don’t forget the toast.
8. Tea
Nauseous? Have some ginger tea. It settles the stomach and hydrates you. Green tea is also a good choice. It’s a detoxifier… remember how much we love our liver?
9. Asparagus
As much as it pains me to say this (see my asparagus woes), asparagus does actually help your hangover. A study published in the Journal of Food Science found the amino acids in asparagus helps your cells break down alcohol faster.
Make sure to hold your nose if you pee afterwards. That smell won’t help your nausea.
10. Sex
Endorphins, sweat… and a nice lazy sleep after the deed.
Ok, ok… I don’t have anything smart to back this up. If it feels good, do it.
[Tweet “10 #Hangover Cures that REALLY work… not that I would know. #fitfluential”]
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I’ll never forget the time my mom had to pick me up on NYE and sneak my drunk ass past my dad. She gave me toast and OJ the next day. She is a saint.
What’s your best hangover cure?
When was your first hangover? Be honest…
I usually go for a crap tonne of water or coconut water if I have it.
And as for the rest – it depends on the hangover. There is the ‘drained, tired, my head hurts’ hangover or the ‘oh god I can’t lift my head from the pillow’ hangover (thankfully I usually have the former rather than the latter) but some jammy oats, paracetamol and the above, combined with a walk and some peppermint tea usually do the trick!
Now I’m brewing my own booch, I will definitely be drinking this! But I swear if I went to the gym I would proabably sit and cry! Haha!
Oh my my first hangover was my prom… And the hangover lasted 4 days… :-S
4 DAYS?! Holy shit. I’ve done the 2 day and it’s not fun at all.
Let me know how that ‘booch works out for you. 🙂
LOL – love this in every way possible! And, while in Italy, I perfected the hangover run and it really does work!
Hahaha! At least it’s so beautiful you *almost* forget the hangover.
I didn’t know about the asparagus study! I am going to try that. You tell Vegas you’re not crazy. Workouts always kick the hangover out of me. I’m still tried from being out late, but the hangover feeling is gone.
The message has been relayed to Vegas. HAHAHA!
Omg, the last thing i want to do when Im hungover is have sex. Ha!
You’re missing out! 😉
I swear by number 1 and 10, actually I’m usually too messed up to mess with 10, but I bet it works. Toast definitely helps with a tiny bit of jam. It’s my equivalent of fruit juice.
Also tell Vegas she can sweat it out in a steam room. Same effect without all the effort.
Admittedly, for #10 you need a reasonable hangover. It isn’t going to work for a vomiting hangover. Blech.
LOL I have not had a hangover in a while! Can you believe I’ve still not tried Kombucha? Something about the name of it does not sound appetizing to me
Vegas hates it, but I think it’s good… I love more vinegary things though.
My hangover cure must be administered before falling asleep/passing out: dates. I swear on all the Graves that eating a serving of dried dates after a night of drinking will prevent or at least drastically minimize your hangover the next day. It sounds stupid, but I think it had to do with the carbs and natural sugars they contain. Also, I’m on the same page with working out the next morning, despite how bad you feel! I once we t to a pretty intense zumba class after a night of intense drinking. Nearly puked during the class, but I felt SO MUCH BETTER afterward!
First hangover… When I was an exchange student in Germany in my junior year of high school 🙂
Dates… makes sense based on that hypoglycemic state! I’ll have to try it out… not that I ever have a hangover… 😉
And OMG… I spent 2 weeks in Italy at that age. I can’t imagine LIVING in Europe at 16!
these are good! xD i always tell my friends water. LOTS and lots of water
I definitely do the water thing, but I love komboucha, so I’m happy to give that a try! I’m getting old because lately I feel hungover after only one drink!
I feel your pain! Something not-so-magical-happens in that department when you hit 30.
Love this! I have never been a drinker and have only had a glass or two of red wine a few times, but I swear, my morning cocktail is a ride or die must-have for me too! I blend ice, matcha, and greens powder into mine with the same ingredients you use, and I just use diff BCAAs. I call it my morning slushie and I would have it no matter what too, especially if I needed it for a hangover! 🙂
I love the slushie idea… I do my matcha separately as “sludge”… maybe I’ll shake it up tomorrow!
Lime juice Motha-Fuckaaaaa… Mixed with Tequila… Will make you want to have sex – NO HANG OVER!
BOOM!
Add tequila to our list of cooler items for golfing.
I’m not gonna show james this. He will pour a glass of wine (or 3) for me and then expect a good romp in the morning. LOL! yes, I said romp.
I literally laughed out loud and told Vegas I wanted a romp. We need to bring back that word.
i have heard about toast and OJ but i have never tried it. i try to do 1:1 ratio with water which tends to work. additionally, good sleep and nice shower helps me alot. hangovers are awful 🙁 🙁 🙁
Ahhhh… the shower. How could I forget? Sometimes you just need to rinse the evening off!
True story, I’ve never been hungover. I’ve never been able to drink enough at a time to allow for it! But I try to do all of these things anyway, just in case ;D
I’m not even sure what to say to you… LOL! You’re lucky. 😉
My husband brews his own Kombucha. I never considered it for hangovers, but then again I haven’t had one for a long time. The older I get, the longer they last. Not fun!! But fun post!
Right?! Something not-so-magical happens at 30. LOL!
Oh I’m totally going to go buy some big girl B-12 for my next night out. I had no idea it’s hangover curing benefits. My first hangover would have to be my sophomore year of high school. We mixed vodka with 7-11 slushies like true 90s babies and got McDonalds the next day lol!
Vodka and slushies?! You were YEARS ahead of your time. Now they sell that in bars! One of my favorites in ATL was a jack and coke slushie.
This is great advice! I usually stick to water and sweat! But I always have B12 on hand–and will have to remember that next time! Thank you!
So, I have never had a hangover, but I have gotten up some mornings feeling just ‘bleh’ and getting moving, praying, reading, exercising, sweating, drinking water, (so much of what you said) is a sure cure for the morning ‘blehs.’ I do love mornings, but some are more challenging than others.
Good!!! You are way to sweet to do something stupid like that. 😉
I never used to really get hangovers but in the past year or two, they’ve hit me with full force! I swear by toast or the French version – there were a few memorable moments I woke up in Paris with a roaring hangover and nipped downstairs in my pajamas to get a croissant! Working out is usually the last thing I want to do, so I tend to curl up in bed or a bath instead. Oh, to be 18 again and invincible!
It’s just not fair how much worse it hurts as we get older. *grumble grumble*
Now, pass me a croissant…
Mine would be water, headaches meds, and a ridiculously long nap.
I wish you would have posted this a couple months ago. The last few weeks of grad school were a hungover blur. 🙂
So sorry… LOL! I barely remember the last month of my MBA. Thank god I (and my liver) graduated. Oy.
re-reading because it is now in the middle of junior year, LOL. i might give that B-12 a try. also, i mix drinks with kombucha, does that count?! xD
and i need that NYE story. LOL.