We all try to drink in moderation during a party or get-together, and let's be honest, most of us don't succeed. The real downside to drinking isn't just the alcohol; it's the hangovers that follow. Hangovers are no fun at all, turning your mornings into a struggle. While we recommend cutting back on alcohol and sticking to safe limits, if you do find yourself dealing with a hangover, here are some home remedies to help you feel better.
1) Stay Hydrated
Water acts as a natural diuretic that helps flush out alcohol from your system, which is crucial for alleviating hangover symptoms. Dehydration from alcohol consumption can exacerbate headaches and fatigue, making it essential to drink more water than usual after a night of drinking to aid in detoxification and recovery from hangover symptoms [1].
2) Eat Carbohydrates
Alcohol can disrupt glucose metabolism, leading to fatigue and irritability. To combat these symptoms, consider having a breakfast rich in carbohydrates, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels and improve mood. Including sweet treats like honey may also provide a quick energy boost [2].
3) Use Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Drinking alcohol increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to hangover symptoms such as headaches and cognitive dysfunction. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can alleviate headaches and offer some relief from hangover symptoms. However, it’s crucial to avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol) after drinking, as it can exacerbate liver damage when combined with alcohol [3].
4) Replenish with Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are rich in electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which can help restore your body’s electrolyte balance after dehydration caused by alcohol. These drinks can contribute to rehydration and help maintain fluid balance, crucial for recovering from hangover symptoms [4].
5) Protect Your Liver with Asparagus
Asparagus is a nutrient-dense vegetable containing amino acids and minerals that may help mitigate hangover symptoms and provide protective effects on the liver from alcohol's detrimental impacts. Consuming asparagus before and after drinking could support liver health and alleviate some hangover effects [2].
While these home remedies can help alleviate hangover symptoms, they won't undo alcohol's effects on your body. It's okay to indulge occasionally, but regularly overdoing it isn't wise. Always drink responsibly, and if you do find yourself hungover, these remedies can aid in your recovery.
Content published on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek information from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website.
References:
- Masoumeh Moslemi, Behrooz Jannat, Maryam Mahmoudzadeh, Mehran Ghasemlou, Abdol-Samad Abedi. Detoxification activity of bioactive food compounds against ethanol-induced injuries and hangover symptoms: A review.. PubMed. 2023.
- Ye Lim Jang, Min Kyu Park. Advanced clinical symptoms of the antihangover compound HK-GCM-H01 in healthy Koreans.. PubMed. 2024.
- Hwa-Young Lee, Geum-Hwa Lee, Do-Sung Kim, Young Jae Lim, Boram Cho, Hojung Jung, Hyun-Shik Choi, Soonok Sa, Wookyung Chung, Hyewon Lee, Myoung Ja Chung, Junghyun Kim, Han-Jung Chae. Glutathione's Role in Liver Metabolism and Hangover Symptom Relief: Dysregulation of Protein S-Glutathionylation and Antioxidant Enzymes.. PubMed. 2025.
- Shraddha Srinivasan, Kriti Kumari Dubey, Rekha S Singhal. Influence of food commodities on hangover based on alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities.. PubMed. 2019.
- Boris Podobnik, Lenart Demšar, Lucija Šarc, Aleš Jerin, Joško Osredkar, Jurij Trontelj, Robert Roškar, Miran Brvar. N-Acetylcysteine Ineffective in Alleviating Hangover from Binge Drinking: A Clinical Study.. PubMed. 2024.