Quick Hangover Fixes That Actually Work

The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink in moderation—or not at all 🤨 But if you're already dealing with a hangover, here are some tips to help relieve it:

• Stay Hydrated 💧 Drinking water before, during, and after alcohol helps reduce hangovers by flushing out toxins and counteracting dehydration, which causes headaches and fatigue.

• Try Ginger Tea. Ginger tea helps ease nausea. A 2024 meta-analysis concluded that ginger is effective against nausea in various contexts. If you’re feeling queasy, ginger tea is a safe and natural option.

• Eat Foods Rich in Antioxidants. Oxidative stress from alcohol generates free radicals that damage cells, contributing to hangover symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and stomach discomfort. Antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals.

🥬 Foods like berries, leafy greens, and nuts are rich in antioxidants. For stronger relief, consider taking a supplement.

• Consume Foods High in Zinc and Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 🌾 Both nutrients play a role in metabolizing ethanol and acetaldehyde, the main culprits behind unpleasant hangover symptoms.

🥜 Sources of zinc include peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and legumes, while chicken, tuna, cereals, and nuts are high in vitamin B3.

• Eat Foods Rich in Cysteine 🥚 This amino acid is essential for breaking down acetaldehyde, the alcohol toxin responsible for nausea and headaches.

🥦 Eggs, chicken, and broccoli are rich in cysteine and can help support your body’s detox process.

• Red Ginseng 📍 A 2022 meta-analysis found that red ginseng reduces hangover symptoms by 21.1%, compared to 14% in placebos. However, the study also highlights the need for further research. Fresh red ginseng can be hard to find, but it’s commonly sold as supplements or teas.

Sources:

• Verster JC, et al. The Alcohol Hangover Research Group: Ten Years of Progress in Research on the Causes, Consequences, and Treatment of the Alcohol Hangover. J Clin Med. 2020. PMID: 33207574.
• Li Z, Wu J, Song J, Wen Y. Ginger for treating nausea and vomiting: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2024. PMID: 38072785.
• Roberts E, et al. The efficacy and tolerability of pharmacologically active interventions for alcohol-induced hangover symptomatology: a systematic review of the evidence from randomised placebo-controlled trials. Addiction. 2022. PMID: 34972259.