What is the best way to combat hangovers?

In this post, we go over what is the best way to combat hangovers.

What Is The Best Way To Combat Hangovers

Dr. Robert Swift, a researcher at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Rhode Island, coauthored one of the few reviews about hangovers back in 1998. It’s still one of the most frequently-cited sources on the subject. The information on remedies for hangovers that follows is based on this review and an interview conducted with Dr. Swift and various other sources.

1. The hair of the dog that bit you.

Drinking to alleviate the effects of a hangover may be known as taking hair from the pet or the hair of the dog who bit you. The idea is that hangovers are an aspect of withdrawal from alcohol; therefore, having a drink or two could help ease withdrawal.

There might be something in it, Dr. Swift. Alcohol and certain sedatives like diazepam and benzodiazepines (Valium) can affect GABA receptors found on brain cells, as he explains. It’s been proven that certain people suffer withdrawal symptoms due to sedatives that are short-acting when they have worn off. The brain may react similarly to how the levels of blood alcohol start to decrease.

Even so, Dr. Swift cautions against alcohol to treat hangovers. “The fur of the pet is just the loop,” he says. “It does not allow you to heal.”

2. Drink plenty of fluids.

Alcohol promotes urination because it hinders vasopressin’s release, a hormone that reduces the amount of urine produced through the kidneys. You might even be dehydrated if your hangover is accompanied by sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting. Even though nausea can hinder your ability to take something down, even the smallest sip of water can ease your hangover.

3. Incorporate some carbohydrates into the system.

Drinking alcohol can reduce the levels of blood sugar, which means that there is a possibility that some of the headaches and fatigue from a hangover could result due to the brain not having sufficient fuel. Many people also forget to eat before drinking, lowering their blood sugar levels. Toast and juice are ideal for bringing the levels to normal gently.

4. Avoid dark-colored alcoholic drinks.

Research has shown that clear spirits, including vodka and Gin, are more likely to trigger hangovers less often than dark liquors, like red wine, whiskey, and Tequila. This is because the primary alcohol used in alcoholic drinks is ethanol. However, the darker liquors are laced with chemically related substances (congeners) such as methanol. As per Dr. Swift’s review paper, the same enzymes are responsible for processing ethanol and Methanol. However, methanol’s metabolites are toxic and can cause more severe hangovers.

5. You can take a pain reliever.

But do not take Tylenol. Ibuprofen, aspirin (Motrin and other brands), and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can help relieve headaches and discomfort. However, NSAIDs can upset a stomach that has already been irritated by alcohol. Also, avoid taking Acetaminophen (Tylenol). If you’re consuming alcohol within your body, it could intensify its toxic effects on the liver.

6. Take a cup of tea or coffee.

Caffeine may not have any particular anti-hangover power, but as a stimulant, it can help reduce the feeling of grogginess.

7. The B vitamin and the zinc.

A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Medicine examined the diets for 24 hours before and after excessive drinking. The study was small, and the results were based on the participants’ statements about the foods they consumed. But, they discovered that those who ate and drank higher quantities of B vitamins and zinc experienced less severe hangovers.