We’ve all spent some long nights out in London, together with our friends and a few too many drinks. And the next morning brings all the dreaded hangover symptoms – headache, nausea, dry mouth, and that general feeling of regret. Thankfully we live in an era where it’s easier to look for hangover cures. But with so many options on the shelves, from tablets to traditional hangover home remedies, how do you know what actually works?
Well, let this blog help you out with that.
What Actually Happens During a Hangover?
A hangover is your body’s reaction to drinking more alcohol than it can handle. It’s a bunch of unpleasant feelings – both physical and mental. But surely we don’t need to explain this to you, we’ve all felt these hangover symptoms first-hand:
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Thirst and dry mouth
• Muscle aches
The most damaging effects of alcohol are that it dehydrates you and disrupts your sleep. These combined with a hangover is what makes you feel all-the-more awful the morning after.
Hangover Tablets: Do They Really Work?
Some people might think of hangover medicine as a sham. But really the effectiveness of these tablets lies in their ingredients. Most importantly, they should replenish your hydration and electrolytes, as drinking really drains you of hydration and causes an imbalance in your electrolyte levels.
The best hangover tablets are those that have ingredients that:
• Boost hydration
• Replenish electrolytes
• Promote alertness
• Alleviate nausea and stomach problems
Some tablets include caffeine for alertness, but caffeine should be avoided after alcohol. So a better alternative is the B vitamins. Alcohol consumption can lead to vitamin B deficiency, and low B12 levels can hamper our cognitive performance, like memory and attention (1). This is why it’s doubly important to replenish our vitamin B levels, so look for tablets that include it so it can be part of your hangover cure drink.
Hangover Home Remedies: Old Favourites
But before hangover pills became a thing in the market, people relied on classic hangover home remedies. These are things you should anyways do after a drinking session if you don’t want tomorrow’s hangover to hit as hard:
1. Drink plenty of water: Stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water, as alcohol causes your body to lose fluids more quickly. Drinking water or having some hydrating drinks can also ease symptoms like headache and dry mouth. But dehydration is only part of the hangover story, so while water helps, it’s not a complete cure (2).
2. Rest and sleep: Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycle. Getting extra rest helps your body recover faster. Create a relaxing bedtime routine to be able to sleep better and faster – ensure your sleeping environment is dark, quiet, and cool, and avoid caffeine before bed.
3. Eat light foods: Eat a hearty breakfast the next morning, but light foods (think: eggs, toast, beans). Eating before or after drinking slows alcohol absorption and helps maintain blood sugar, which can reduce hangover severity. Bananas, toast, crackers, and oatmeal can help with nausea while being gentle on the stomach. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals can also support your body’s recovery. And avoid fatty foods and caffeinated drinks.
4. Have ginger tea: Ginger is a popular remedy for hangovers because it can alleviate feelings of nausea and ease an upset stomach, due to its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. You can have ginger tea the next morning with your breakfast as a hot and comforting hangover cure drink.
Supplements for Hangover
If you’re someone who doesn’t trust hangover medicines, are too lazy for the home remedies like preparing light foods and ginger tea, and just want to pop a pill to feel better during a hangover, we’ve got your back.
• Electrolyte supplements or drinks are important after drinking. Alcohol is a diuretic, leading to dehydration and electrolyte loss. So we need to take electrolytes to restore balance.
• B-Vitamins are crucial for energy production, nerve function, and brain health. Take B1, B6, and B12 supplements to help replenish these and alleviate symptoms like fatigue and low energy.
• Vitamin C helps support detoxification and immune function, which alcohol might weaken.
• Milk Thistle is known for its potential to support liver health and detoxification, which we really need after a few drinks.
So What’s the Best Remedy for Hangover?
Despite the hype, there’s no magic pill or instant hangover cure. It’s all about looking for the right ingredients in tablets and following a good post-drinking routine. The best approach is prevention and self-care:
• Keep hydrating yourself with water in between drinks, and drink plenty of fluids the next day too.
• Have a light meal before your night out to slow down alcohol absorption.
• Get enough rest to help yourself recover.
And another hangover hack is to choose drinks that have a low alcohol content. Light beers, white wines, and seltzers with a low ABV (alcohol by content) are good options that probably won’t get you drunk easily. But of course, this differs for people depending on their alcohol tolerance, body weight, metabolism, and prior drinking experience.
Final Thoughts
In the UK, both hangover tablets and home remedies are popular, but neither offers a guaranteed solution. The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink sensibly, stay hydrated, and take care of your body. If you do wake up feeling rough, focus on rest, fluids, and a good meal – your body will do the rest. And remember to have a Nightout for your night out.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best home remedy for hangover?
Focus on hydrating yourself, whether it’s with water or electrolyte drinks. Also get enough sleep to give your body time to recover from the effects of alcohol.
Q2. What to eat when hungover?
Eat bland foods like toast, oatmeal, or rice that are light and gentle on the stomach. Avoid greasy and sugary foods and caffeine.
Q3. What drink is good for hangover?
When you’re hungover, nothing beats water for rehydrating your body. Try Nightout tablets in a glass of water to help cure your hangover faster.
Q4. Do hydration tablets work for hangover?
Yes, hydration tablets can relieve hangover symptoms, especially the ones containing electrolytes. Alcohol severely dehydrates us and disturbs our electrolyte balance, so it’s important to restore these to alleviate hangovers.