Hangover remedies: What you need to know

EVEN those of you who do not regularly overindulge in alcohol may find yourselves doing so over the festive season. Well, this can be understood and, depending on the level of indulgence, forgiven.

However, it is advisable, firstly, to not drink and drive and, secondly, to control the effects of alcohol. The best advice would of course be to not overdo it in the first place, however few people would deny you some festivities with friends and family at this time of year. One unit of alcohol per hour is suggested, as it takes approximately this long for your body to process it.

There is a vast amount of research done into the effect of drinking on the body, and while one’s behaviour while under the influence cannot easily be controlled, there are a few tips and some possible remedies for limiting the effects of ‘boozing it up’:

Water: Research shows that drinking has a dehydrating effect on the body, which is most likely the cause of headaches. Drink water while drinking (one glass for every unit of alcohol), before going to sleep as well as in the morning.

‘Line your stomach’: It is strongly advisable to have a good meal before starting to drink as well as snacks while drinking as well. Food lines the stomach and slows down the adsorption of alcohol. It has also been suggested that you will feel less nauseated the next day if you have eaten. Although research does not prove this, a greasy snack together with some water before going to sleep seems to lessen a queasy tummy the next morning as well.

On a related note, the sugar in your body that comes from carbohydrates will also need to be replaced, so try to include some of this category in your meals as well.

Virgin Mary cocktail: No one seems to know exactly why, but tomato juice is a favourite hangover remedy the world over. Just try and see.

‘Hair of the dog’: Drinking your hangover away works temporarily by masking the effects, but the side-effect may be problematic. Firstly, there may still be alcohol present in your bloodstream, therefore you will probably rocket back into rowdy drunkeness.

Secondly, is anyone (except a delinquent varsity student) really going to be proud of being intoxicated for straight days on end?

Thirdly, these types of drinking habits can in fact lead to a dependency in the body, meaning a form of alcoholism. Not a good idea – rather sleep it off and give yourself 24 hours at least to recover.

Medication and vitamins: The jury is somewhat hung on this topic. According to scientific research, there is not much in favour of any form of medication having hugely beneficial effects. However, personal experience says otherwise.

Many people swear by a liver/kidney supplement or an ‘energy cocktail’ (before and after drinking) or plain old aspirin or ibuprofen (the morning after). However, stick to recommended dosages and don’t be surprised if the ‘magic’ cure you hoped for doesn’t work.

Caffeine – coffee and energy drinks: Once again, neither of these have been proven to work. Caffeine can make ‘the shakes’ worse actually. This one is once again a matter of personal preference, so if it works for you, go for it.

Exercise: The endorphins released during exercise can lift your mood, but be careful not to get more dehydrated than you already will be. Keep drinking fluids – water or sports drinks.