- MailOnline spoke to health experts to find out which ‘cures’ actually work
Waking up the day after a night out with your head pounding and the greasy drunk food you ate last night swirling around your stomach – we’ve all been there.
Hangovers can feel like the worst thing in the world and keep you bed-ridden for the whole day, pledging you will never drink again.
People will go to strange lengths to feel okay again and there are a number of popular ‘cures’ that social media users swear by – but do they actually work?
MailOnline spoke to Dr Ross Perry GP, Medical Director of Cosmedic and Dr Olaleken Otulana, a Substance Misuse and Addiction Physician, to find out which ‘cures’ will actually make you feel better – and debunked those that won’t
Read on for everything you need to know about the weirdest home remedies.
Drinking pickle juice – MYTH
Dr Otulana advises that contrary to what social media says, drinking pickle juice is not going to help you feel much better.
He explained that it contains electrolytes, most notably its high volumes of sodium and potassium and ‘where these may have been lost due to dehydration, consuming pickle juice in theory should work to replenish one’s electrolyte levels.’
‘However, in reality consuming pickle juice has very little effect on electrolyte levels and – although it might help with the retention of water to aid dehydration, you’re better off just drinking water.
‘Consuming too much sodium-packed pickle juice can have an adverse effect on health and might increase fluid retention causing swelling and bloating.
‘Decreasing one’s sodium intake is also recommended to those looking to lower their blood pressure.
‘The acetic acid in pickle juice may worsen certain digestive issues, including gas, bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhoea.
‘If you decide to try drinking pickle juice to treat a hangover, stick to a small amount of around 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 mL) and discontinue use if you experience any adverse effects.’
Eating or drinking ginger – TRUE
Both experts reveal that it’s true ginger will help those who feel nauseous with a hangover as it’s a ‘great anti sickness remedy’.
However, Dr. Ross Perry says ‘it’s not going to get rid of all symptoms associated with a hangover as only time and rest will do that.
Dr Otulana agrees, explaining that ‘the anti-oxidant compounds that naturally occur in ginger may modulate the oxidative stress caused by alcohol.
‘In a clinical effectiveness evaluation study, hangover symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea were alleviated after the subjects were given prophylactic doses of ginger
‘If you suffer from nausea during hangovers, ginger may help relieve symptoms. While ginger does have benefits, the direct connection between ginger consumption and reduced hangover severity needs more research.’
Eating raw egg – MYTH
Although some people online swear by it, professionals advise that eating raw egg is definitely a myth.
Dr Ross Perry said ‘I would never encourage anyone to eat a raw egg as not only could you end up with a hangover but salmonella too.
‘There is some thought that due to the cysteine amino acid, this can play a tole in alcohol metabolism, however, there are no real studies to back this up and it might just make you feel more nauseous.’
Dr Otulana added ‘Although raw egg is high in a few B vitamins that are important in alcohol metabolism, these are not of high enough concentration to have any notable difference on a hangover – mostly composed of dehydration, poor sleep quality and inflammation.
‘Eggs may give your body some easily absorbed nutrients that can help one combat their hangover, but that is as far as these benefits go.’
Drinking coffee – MYTH
Although getting a caffiene hit might be tempting, especially if you have work the next day, the experts say drinking coffee could actually make you feel worse.
Dr Perry explained ‘If you’re a hardcore coffee drinker, the boost of caffeine may make you feel slightly better, but for all the wrong reasons.
‘However, if your tummy is already sensitive to the alcohol, having coffee will just make you feel more delicate.’
Dunking your head in ice water – TRUE
Videos have been popping up across social media of people dunking their heads in bowls of ice water, in an attempt to make a hangover more bearable.
Surprisingly, health experts have said this one is true and can help relieve some symptoms.
Dr Perry explained ‘This can actually help due to the cold receptors in the skin which can trigger the trigeminal nerve – this is the cranial nerve that supplies the skin of the face.
‘Nerve impulses are then transmitted to the brainstem which activates the involuntary nerve pathway, slows down the heart rate and diverts blood back to the brain and heart- so in a nutshell this can definitely help relieve a hangover.’
Dr Otulana explained that this method ‘tricks the brain into thinking that it is drowning and needs to work towards conserving as much oxygen as possible.
‘Since dunking your face slows your digestion, this may help decrease nausea after a hangover. The decrease in your heart rate could also work to alleviate any symptoms of anxiety.’
However, he added that it’s a ‘short-term solution’ and an anecdotal remedy rather than something that is backed up by scientific evidence.
Bouillon soup – TRUE
This next cure isn’t as well-known as the others, however it is true that it can help you feel better.
Bouillon soup is a thin vegetable based broth – Dr Otulana explained that it’s ‘easy for a fragile stomach to digest.
‘The soup is also packed full of vitamins and minerals, which can top up any depleted resources and help with rehydrating the body to aid a hangover successfully.
Bouillon soup is even featured on the NHS website as an easily-digestible hangover aid.
Dr Perry added ‘If you want to eat something following a hangover then this is a good choice as it’s packed full of goodness, which won’t upset the tummy or make you feel worse than other foods. It won’t get rid of the hangover, but you will find some comfort in it.’
Eating a fry up – myth
Indulging in a greasy fry up is probably one of the most common hangover remedies Brits opt for – but sadly, it’s a common misconception that’s only making us feel worse.
Dr Perry said ‘You might feel like this is what you’re body is craving and will cure the hangover, but a breakfast full of grease is only likely to upset the stomach and make you feel worse.
‘It’s better to have smoothie packed full of vitamin or a hearty bowl of porridge.
‘Aim to eat medium sized meals that are not too fatty which are far better than comfort laden carbs and sugar which can sometimes make you feel worse and upset the tummy.
He added that you could also opt to have a bowl of porridge with honey and banana to try and replenish some of the nutrients your body may have lost.
‘Eating foods the following day containing potassium such as Bananas, oranges, apricots, grapefruit honeydew and cantaloupe melon, leafy greens, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, mushroom and peas will help to lessen the hangover and replenish the loss of electrolytes making you feel better quicker.’
Drinking lemon water – TRUE
While it won’t magically make you feel okay, drinking lemon water will both hydrate you and provide your body with vitamin C.
Dr Otulana advises that ‘lemon water can aid a hangover by rehydrating the body – although the lemon may contain vitamins, they are no different to any other fruit infused water.
‘With that said, it may be easier for some people to drink lemon water because it’s more palatable when hungover.
‘The antioxidants in vitamin C may also support your body. While its direct effect on hangovers might not be profound, it’s not accurate to suggest lemons have no health benefits at all.’
Dr Perry agreed, adding ‘Any kind of water is going to help flush the toxins out of the body from alcohol, lemon will also help with the added addition of Vitamin C and this helps to control the level of blood sugar. You’re still going to need plenty of rest and let your own body do the work naturally.’
A hangover pill – MYTH
Dr Perry was quick to dismiss the idea of a ‘hangover pill,’ that some people swear by.
More and more versions of purchasable medicines claiming to cure your hangover have been popping up recently, but it’s unknown how effective they are.
He said ‘There is no scientific proof to suggest they work at all and are just a waste a money.
‘Despite containing vitamins etc, the damage is already done inside the body.’
Hair of the dog – MYTH
It will be no surprise to people that this one is a myth – ‘hair of the dog’ refers to drinking another alcoholic drink to balance yourself out and ‘cure’ your hangover.
While it may temporarily make you feel better, you’re just delaying the inevitable.
Dr Perry explained ‘In a way having another alcoholic drink does normalize the brain a little, but that’s because it’s a sedative and you feel better initially.
‘But that’s very short lived and one the alcohol feeling goes away, the hangover will kick back in once more.’
Apple cider vinegar – TRUE
The final hangover ‘cure’ is apple cider vinegar, which the health expert advises can help restore your body’s PH levels – if you can stomach it that is.
Dr Perry said ‘Add some apple cider vinegar to your food or drink after a big night out as it can help to restore your body’s PH level as it becomes more acidic after drinking alcohol and helps to bring your PH back to a more normal level.
‘It also has a diuretic effect that can help with morning after fluid retention and is great at restoring blood sugar.
‘These sugars can be lost after a night out drinking which leaves you tired and lethargic.’
You can your hands on it for as little as £1.30 from your local supermarket and mix it with another drink to improve the taste.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
