With New Year’s Eve celebrations often leaving us feeling worse for wear the following morning, experts have shared five natural hangover remedies you might not have tried – and one does not cost a thing
It can be hard not to overindulge during the festive season, especially at a lively New Year’s Eve party with friends and family. However, many of us find ourselves waking up with an awful hangover after too much alcohol the night before, which can make us feel rotten for the rest of the day. “Hangovers are predominantly caused by dehydration and poor sleep patterns caused by the alcohol,” says nutritionist Steph Baker. “Alcohol has a diuretic effect, increasing the production of urine and leading to a loss of fluids, so being dehydrated can make a hangover feel worse.”
Excessive amounts of booze can also cause vomiting, which leads to further loss of fluids. Steph says, “The following day, you need to think about drinking plenty of liquids, ideally two to three litres of water, and try to catch up on some much-needed sleep.” According to Dr Sanjay Mehta, a GP at The London General Practice, darker alcoholic drinks like red wine, rum and whisky tend to lead to a worse hangover than lighter liquids, because they contain certain chemicals that lighter ones don’t.
He says, “Age can also play a part in terms of hangovers. It’s not the most significant factor, but it is certainly a factor for two reasons. The first aspect is that your liver works less effectively as you get older. The other is that there’s a marginal decrease in your body’s water composition as you age, so the alcohol in your system becomes more concentrated.”
It’s important to avoid sugary drinks the next day and resist the “hair of the dog”, as both can prolong the symptoms of a hangover, says senior nutritionist Hannah Trueman.
Thankfully, there’s a range of natural hangover remedies that can help to combat the unpleasant symptoms of a hangover this party season.
Go outside
Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics, says, “Getting some fresh air will help to clear your head, boost your mood and get some all-important vitamin D.” He adds, “A walk outside is a better option than over-exerting yourself in the gym, as this can just make you feel more dehydrated and worsen a banging head.”
Eat bananas
Bananas are rich in potassium and soft to eat, making them far more manageable than a huge fry-up. The fibre can relieve digestive issues and the sugar can replenish your energy levels.
Try milk thistle
Milk thistle is a fantastic supplement to help the liver cope with a higher-than-normal intake of chemicals, says Steph Baker. She explains, “While we are sadly yet to find a supplementary cure for hangovers, silymarin, which is the potent antioxidant component of milk thistle, contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce the length of a hangover.” It’s best to start taking milk thistle two weeks before the party season and throughout December to help the liver to detox.
Take electrolytes
Taking electrolytes with a large glass of water before bed and in the morning after a night of partying can help to improve the fatigue and headaches associated with hangovers, Steph says. As hangovers can be mainly attributed to dehydration, the symptoms can, in part, be alleviated by ensuring adequate hydration.
Take probiotics
Taking gut probiotics and a magnesium glycinate supplement at night can really help your sleep, says nutritional therapist Jo Lyall. She adds, “Supporting your gut health will aid digestion and the removal of toxins.” Taking a good-quality probiotic before bed and again in the morning is recommended by optibacprobiotics.com. The formula should include at least one strain of Bifidobacteria to help break down the toxic metabolites of alcohol. If you have an upset stomach, a probiotic containing Saccharomyces boulardii can be helpful.