Despite popular belief, there are foods that are the best hangover cures imaginable and others that are the worst possible thing you could put in your body.
Most adults have their own unique hangover remedies ranging from the relatively normal to outright insane. But, as it turns out, there are some foods and drinks that you should actively avoid when trying to recover from a night of sin.
The best foods for a hangover
Hangover remedies are as individual as the alcohol choices that initially landed you in the realm of hot sweats, headaches, and aching limbs. Some people swear by greasy foods, while others prioritize health with their daily dose of nutrients.
As reported by the Cleveland Clinic, salmon is the perfect medium to to reintroduce B6 and B12 vitamins into your body following a heavy night of drinking. Not only does the fish help to break down alchol in your body, but it also reduces the natural inflammatory response.
Another possible avenue to explore is the BRAT diet, which stands for Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Though not exactly the greasy fry-up you were hoping for, the balance of carbohydrates is said to alleviate nauseousness.
In a 2022 article for Vice, nutritionist Tiziana Persico outlined a few science-backed foods to alleviate your symptoms. She argued that bananas, for their potassium and magnesium, and antioxidant-rich artichokes could make a dent in your turmoil.
Though not strictly food, water is by far the most important thing you could put in your body when struggling with a hangover. Not only are we supposed to drink 3.7 liters a day, but our bodies lose between 600 and 1,000 mililitres of water after just four drinks.
As such, tackingly pesky dry-mouth and dehydration headaches can be as simple as downing a few glasses of H2O.
Other foods known to help with hangovers include:
- Eggs
- Avocado
- Oatmeal
- Watermelon
- Coconut Water
- Bone Broth
- Leafy Greens
- Celery
- Broccoli
The worst foods for hangover
Despite previously held beliefs, the solution to your hangover is not filling your gut with greasy food, tonnes of sugar and a massive coffee. It sucks, but it’s true.
“Everything you thought you knew about curing a hangover might be wrong,” nutritionist Ali Tager told INSIDER. “Indulging in greasy food is actually the worst thing you can do for your body. Alcohol is broken down via the same metabolic pathway as fat, so while your body is breaking down those margaritas you threw back last night, it will have to put that greasy food to the side.”
Similarly, tea and coffee are out of the question due to their natural diuretic properties. The aim of the game is to rehydrate, not drain you of liquid!
Some other foods and drinks to stay away from are:
- High sugar orange juice
- Citrus
- More alcohol
- Energy drinks
- Only meat
- Sugary cereal
