8 Natural Hangover Cures

In this post, we go over (1) natural hangover cures, (2) what causes harsh hangover symptoms, and (3) additional information on how the body breaks down alcohol.

After a night of drinking, you may wake up with a painful headache, unbearable nausea, excessive thirst, and an extreme feeling of fatigue.

If you’re feeling dejected, do not fret, you’re not alone. These are just a few of the most often reported symptoms of hangovers, as per the findings of a study published on September 17, 2017, by the Journal of Human Psychopharmacology.

The body absorbs a set amount of alcohol each hour. “That quantity varies greatly based on many factors, including sexual activity, body mass, and the quantity of alcohol a person consumes alcohol,” says Edouard Coupet II, MD, a Yale Medicine emergency physician who practices in New Haven, Connecticut, and a fellow of Yale’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) scholar.

In the words of Dr. Coupet, alcohol enters the bloodstream just a few minutes after the first sip. It is then absorbed by your digestive tract, beginning in the stomach. The liver processes your body begins by breaking it down, also known as the metabolism of alcohol.

In the course of alcohol metabolism, a harmful byproduct called Acetaldehyde is produced that your body works to eliminate, says Peter Malamet, DO, an emergency medicine doctor in the Mike O’Callaghan’s military Medical Centre located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“How you feel may depend on the speed at which you break down acetaldehyde as well as the speed at which you eliminate the substance,” claims Doctor. Malamet. “Some people aren’t able to get rid of acetaldehyde the same way as others.”

While the majority of alcohol metabolism takes place within the liver, it’s believed that some forms of alcohol metabolism may be carried out within the pancreas and in the brain, as per the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse as well as Alcoholism.

What is it that causes intense thirst, horrible headache, and nausea?

“The impurities that alcohol contains (which differ from one kind of alcohol to the next) could also influence the severity of hangovers. The higher the purity of the alcohol, it is less likely to cause a hangover,” claims Kelly Kennedy, RD, Everyday Health staff nutritionist.

Kennedy suggests drinking moderately and stresses that there’s no way to get rid of an alcohol-related hangover other than not to have an initial hangover.

8 Natural Hangover Cures

But what happens if you wish to drink a few drinks but not be achy the next day? There are a few steps you can try to alleviate the discomfort.

1. Drink water to prevent dehydration

“The alcohol you drink functions as a diuretic and can cause you to go to the bathroom more often,” explains Kennedy. “This can cause dehydration which is among the main reasons for hangover symptoms.”

Also, that desert-like hunger that wakes you at the earliest morning hours is a sign that you’re on your path to becoming feeling hungover. The amount of fluid you drink should equal the amount you’ve shed in alcohol, and alcohol could disrupt the balance.

“If you are certain that you’ll be drinking at night, make sure you’re well-hydrated throughout the day, and drink plenty of water before going to sleep,” she says. If you awake in the morning with an alcohol-related hangover, make all you can drink the most water you can. “Even drinking a few sips now and then can be helpful.”

2. Drink other fluids as well to replenish Electrolytes

“Because the alcohol diuretic and you’re frequently urinating, it also causes the loss of electrolytes and can feel nausea, dizziness, and cramping,” says Malamet. She states that electrolyte imbalance is one of the leading causes of fatigue resulting from the effects of a hangover.

A study published in February 2015 by The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research revealed that drinking electrolytes following prolonged periods of dehydration could greatly aid in restoring essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium. A study.

What are the best electrolyte-rich drinks to choose from? Kennedy recommends drinking sports drinks as well as a broth to aid in restoring electrolytes that have been lost and get you back in good shape faster.

Fermented beverages like Kombucha can be beneficial drinks to consume when you’re depleted in nutrients because they’re high in mineral content, antioxidants, and beneficial bacteria for your gut.

3. Consume Nutrient-Rich Foods Before and after drinking

Past research has proven that pairing drinking alcohol and food can help your body better metabolize the alcohol to avoid an alcohol-related hangover. In addition, digesting food before or during drinking could help boost anti-diuretic hormone levels (ADH), sugar, fructose, and blood flow to your liver, all of which work to assist your body to better break down alcohol.

What can you eat when you’re already drunk? Contrary to what many believe, eating greasy food does not aid in helping you get through the effects of a hangover. “Craving an egg, bacon sandwich, or cheese on the first day after having a night of drinking is the body’s response in response to lower glucose levels and dehydration,” Explains Maggie Michalczyk, RDN Dietitian and food blogger from Chicago.

However, it won’t absorb alcohol already filtered into your liver. More likely, complex carbohydrates, such as vegetables and fruits, are the most effective option, says Michalczyk.

Experts advise you to choose fruits such as bananas since they’re packed with minerals, like potassium, that alcohol depletes. A roughly 7-inch long banana contains 422 milligrams (mg) of potassium and 32 mg of magnesium, following the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). So if you can handle the sounds of a blender, making a smoothie from coconut water and bananas, two spoons of peanut butter and your preferred Protein powder will be what Michalczyk recommends.

4. Try Ginger to help ease nausea

Both nutritionists and doctors believe that ginger is among the most effective natural remedies to help to soothe the symptoms of a nauseous stomach that is the sign of an alcohol-related hangover.

“Ginger helps in digestion and helps ease stomach pain,” explains Kennedy, who believes alcohol irritates the stomach’s lining for being one of the causes of nausea that comes with hangovers.

The chemical compounds found in ginger are believed to alleviate stomach pain and assist digestion. A meta-analysis that was published in December of this year’s Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics discovered that ginger decreased nausea in cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy treatment by 60 percent and fatigue by 80 percent.

It is possible to enjoy this powerful food in many ways. If you are experiencing stomach pain, Try making a cup of fresh ginger tea or adding fresh ginger to smoothies.

5. Use chamomile to reduce anxiety (or anxiety)

For some, the effects of a hangover, such as anxiety (also known as anxiety), can be as stressful emotionally as the physical signs of a hangover.

If this doesn’t ring familiar, this could be due to anxiety affecting everyone differently. For example, in a  March 2019 Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, researchers found that shy people experienced higher anxiety levels following drinking alcohol.

Michalczyk recommends the use of chamomile tea as a way to soothe any emotional turmoil that is triggered by drinking. In addition, studies support the use of this plant to reduce anxiety. The double benefit: Chamomile can help you to sleep better and lessen the effects of the discomfort of an upset stomach, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

6. Restore energy by taking Vitamin B. Protect Your Immunity Through Vitamin C

Many hangover symptoms stem from nutritional deficiency. For example, the nutrient Vitamin B is significantly affected by alcohol use, per a  European Journal of Clinical Nutrition study.

Vitamin B is essential for brain function, energy, and ensuring that the nervous system functions correctly. Vitamin B deficiency is often caused by fatigue and low energy levels. For example, suppose you’re still unable to get your thoughts off breakfast meals. In that case, Michalczyk suggests eating eggs as an excellent source of vital B vitamin flushed by alcohol, along with lean protein, such as turkey bacon and a whole grain English muffin.

As per experts’ advice, a vital vitamin to consider in the wake of a hangover includes Vitamin C. Research published in the year 2015 within Alcohol Research Current Reviews revealed a link between alcohol consumption and a weakening immune system, which can weaken the body’s ability to protect itself. So to prevent exposure to colds, viruses, and any alcohol-related illness that could be a possibility, make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamin C by eating vegetables and fruits like broccoli that contain 135 percent of your daily value in a cup, following the USDA. Also, look for oranges, red bell peppers, kiwis, and strawberries.

7. Beware of Medication that can cause adverse effects when you drink Alcohol

Certain medications can interact with alcohol and trigger extreme hangover-like symptoms, according to Malamet. One particular one to be aware of is Flagyl (metronidazole), commonly used to combat bacterial infections of the stomach, skin, vagina, joints, or respiratory tract.

Other medications that are consumed in conjunction together with alcohol can trigger dizziness, drowsiness and impaired concentration, and an increased chance of overdose, in the words of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. These include antidepressants like Effexor, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Zoloft as well as stimulants like Adderall (Adderall XR) or Ritalin as well as benzodiazepines for anxiety treatment such as Xanax (Alprazolam) along with Clonazepam. Allergy medicine may negatively interact with alcohol, too.

Malamet suggests that you always consult your physician about potential interactions between medications. “Some medicines interfere with the body’s capacity to break down alcohol, which may make the alcohol-related hangover,” Malamet says.

8. Go back to Bed to restore Circadian Rhythm

One of the best therapeutic solutions you can use when drunk is to seek more rest. According to Harvard Health, a delay in cognitive function after an alcohol-related hangover may be linked to the lack of sleep associated with alcohol consumption. Indeed, a research study published on December 18, 2018, by the journal Addiction discovered that alcohol consumption could hinder the ability to focus and affect daily activities like driving.

The National Sleep Foundation notes that alcohol alters the rhythm of your circadian cycle and hinders REM sleep. So you’ll not likely drift into a euphoric, restful sleep after having more than one glass of wine or two. In addition, sleep deprivation, as per Harvard research, is associated with stress, anxiety, depression, and alcohol, an antidepressant, can exacerbate the effects.

“It’s been demonstrated that you cannot reach the typical REM sleep cycle while drinking alcohol. So, therefore, even if you’re able to get a couple of hours of rest, it’s likely that you’re not getting enough sleep,” says Malamet.

The most effective method to feel more relaxed faster? Hydrate and hit that sleep button