As the holiday season approaches, many celebrate with office parties, family gatherings, and New Year’s Eve festivities, often leading to overindulgence in alcohol. This indulgence frequently results in the dreaded hangover, leaving individuals searching for quick fixes. However, experts assert that many popular hangover remedies are ineffective and fail to address how the body processes alcohol.
According to the National Institutes of Health, a hangover is the body’s reaction to the accumulation of toxic byproducts as it metabolizes alcohol. “Most hangover ‘cures’ fail because they treat the liver like a sponge rather than a chemical processing plant,” said Dr. Hillary Lin, a physician based in New York City. She emphasized that there is no instant remedy for a hangover, stating, “You can’t biohack a hangover once it starts.”
To clarify misconceptions, experts have debunked five common myths surrounding hangover cures.
1. The ‘Hair of the Dog’ Approach
The belief that consuming more alcohol, often referred to as “hair of the dog,” can relieve hangover symptoms is misleading. Dr. Lin explained that this method merely postpones the inevitable. “While it may dull symptoms briefly, it gives the liver more work to do,” she stated. Alexa Ryan, a neurotherapist and clinical dietitian nutritionist from California, added that this approach does not tackle the underlying issues of dehydration and inflammation.
Additionally, Ian Anderson, co-founder of the mindful drinking app Sunnyside, warned that combining alcohol with other substances, such as tobacco or cannabis, can exacerbate hangover symptoms and impair cognitive function.
2. Greasy Breakfasts
A common belief is that a greasy breakfast can help absorb alcohol and alleviate hangover discomfort. However, Dr. Lin noted that by the time individuals wake up with a hangover, the alcohol has already left their stomach. “There is literally nothing left to ‘soak up,’” she explained. Experts suggest that consuming a balanced meal before drinking can slow alcohol absorption, but post-drinking heavy breakfasts may do more harm than good.
Foods like eggs, bananas, and water-rich fruits may assist in recovery, though evidence supporting these claims is limited.
3. Coffee and Lemon Water
Many believe that coffee or lemon water can help flush out alcohol from the system. However, experts assert that detoxification does not work in this manner. “By the time you wake up with a hangover, alcohol has already disrupted sleep and irritated the stomach lining,” Ryan explained. Both coffee and lemon juice do not accelerate alcohol metabolism, and coffee can hinder rehydration, potentially worsening headaches and anxiety.
Drinking plain water is recommended as the most effective way to rehydrate after a night of drinking.
4. Patches and Supplements
The effectiveness of hangover patches and supplements varies widely. Most products do not address hangover symptoms in a timely fashion, according to Dr. Lin. Some emerging probiotics, however, have been shown to break down acetaldehyde in the gut before it enters the bloodstream. Lin also suggested drinking a high-quality electrolyte mix before bed as a preventive measure.
5. ‘Sweat It Out’ Exercise
The myth that exercising can help eliminate alcohol from the system is another misconception. Experts clarify that alcohol is metabolized by the liver at a consistent rate, and exercise does not speed up this process. Ryan cautioned that working out while hungover can exacerbate dehydration and increase dizziness or nausea, adding unnecessary stress to the body.
No Cure-All Solution
Despite numerous claims of quick fixes, experts unanimously agree that there is no proven cure-all for hangovers. The most effective strategy, according to Anderson, is to drink less and avoid binge drinking, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a single occasion for men and four for women.
Alternating alcoholic drinks with water or non-alcoholic beverages can also minimize hangover severity. Health experts emphasize that no level of alcohol is entirely safe, as even low consumption can increase cancer risk.
When preventive measures fall short, recovery involves prioritizing hydration, rest, and time. Ryan concludes, “Getting rest, hydrating with electrolytes, and having a small, balanced meal while allowing the liver to complete detoxification are the most effective steps.”
As the holiday season continues, understanding these myths can help individuals navigate their celebrations more wisely and responsibly.
