Hangovers vs. Health

A hangover describes the sum of unpleasant physiological effects following heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages. The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, dysphoria, diarrhea and thirst.

Partying may feel good when you are in your twenties, but there is a big price to pay later.

There is debate about whether a hangover might be prevented or at least mitigated. There is currently no known proven mechanism for making oneself sober short of waiting for the body to metabolize ingested alcohol, which occurs via oxidation through the liver before alcohol leaves the body.

However, drinking a large amount of water or a rehydration drink prior to sleep will effectively reduce a large proportion of the symptoms. It may also be helpful to replenish with electrolytes via food to avoid aggravating electrolyte disturbances induced by alcohol through consuming only water.

This increases the need to urinate in the relevant timeline, thus cleaning the body and ridding it of many chemicals more quickly, including those that cause or heighten hangover symptoms.

A four page literature review in British Medical Journal on hangover cures by Max Pittler of the Peninsula Medical School at Exeter University and colleagues concludes: “No compelling evidence exists to suggest that any conventional or complementary intervention is effective for preventing or treating alcohol hangover. The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of alcohol induced hangover is to avoid drinking.”

However, a study published in April 2009 from Great Britain publicizes the benefits of consuming a bacon sandwich as an actual means to cure a hangover, which is attributed to the benefits of high amounts of amino acids.