7 hangover helpers

Had too many party drinks? Find the best ways to get relief -- fast.

Updated:: 2009-10-14 19:57

Published:: 2006-12-27 00:00

By: Sarah Snowdon

Tips to relieve symptoms

2. Avoid the hair of the dog
Many frequent imbibers swear by a morning swig of alcohol, also known as "hair of the dog." However, Wood and Evans agree that hair of the dog simply puts off the inevitable, so don't down another glass of wine. "Drinking alcohol the day after a binge does not help with a hangover," says Wood. "But it does prolong the process of metabolizing the alcohol." Your liver attacks poisons in a certain order: ethanol first, then methanol. Adding more alcohol to your body disrupts this process and further delays your hangover recovery.

3. Cut caffeine
Others may choose to knock out a hangover with a strong cup of coffee, but you may be doing more harm than good when you're gulping that java. "Caffeine may help temporarily reduce headaches associated with hangovers by constricting the blood vessels that may be dilated in the head and causing pain, but it is not a great remedy due to its dehydrating effects on the body," says Zepp.

4. Take care with painkillers
Mild painkillers, such as Aspirin or ibuprofen, may help, but be sure to carefully follow the dosage because these pills may be hard on an already upset stomach. Some even claim that taking painkillers with alcohol can actually cause liver and kidney damage. Wood recommends taking a mild painkiller in the recommended dose the morning after.

5. Fry up breakfast
During an alcohol binge, free radicals can wreak havoc on your liver. Many imbibers rely on a traditional English breakfast (fried bacon, sausage, mushroom, eggs and tomato), which contains free-radical fighters that act as powerful antioxidants. So go ahead and order that big fried breakfast.

6. Fruit and nut bars are your friends
Alcohol attacks your body's store of glycogen, an important energy source in your liver, breaking it down to glucose. For an energy boost, Zepp recommends fruit and nut bars, available at health food stores, for their ideal mixture of complex carbohydrates and protein. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, also destroys free radicals and supports your liver.

7. Drink ginger tea
Ginger tea helps to calm an upset stomach. "Grate 1 tsp. of ginger or less into a saucepan with water and let it simmer for 15 minutes," advises Zepp. "Remove from heat and add a dash of honey to taste."

Most important, when you're fighting the effects of too much alcohol, rest, drink lots of fluids and don't worry -- in 24 hours you'll be feeling like yourself again.

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