HANGOVER

Through the ages there have been invented nearly as many hangover remedies as there are varieties of mixed drinks. Most, unfortunately, don’t work.

If you’ve ever made too many trips to the punch bowl, you’re all too familiar with the pounding head, queasy stomach, dry mouth, and other miserable symptoms that accompany hangovers. But even though people have been getting hangovers for thousands of years, doctors aren’t sure exactly what they are or what’s the best remedy. But they do have some ideas. Here are a few things you may want to try.

Have a taste of honey. Honey contains large amounts of a natural sugar called fructose, which is burned very quickly by the body. By putting your metabolism in high gear, it will help your body burn off the alcohol faster.

Pass up the coffee. When you prop up your tired eyes, the coffee pot is probably the first thing you’re going to reach for. When you have a hangover, however, your body is already dehydrated. Coffee is a diuretic, which means that it removes more fluids from your body than it puts in – and that’s the last thing you need when you have to cope with a hangover.

Take some vitamin C. Evidence suggests that vitamin C can help the body get rid of alcohol more quickly. Taking about 500 milligrams of vitamin C or eating vitamin C rich foods like oranges or grapefruit may be one of the best ways to relieve the hangover blues.

Keep your stomach full. When the crowd is partying hearty, it’s a good idea to have some food in your stomach. High protein foods are especially good because they take a long time to digest. Keeping food in your system will help slow the absorption of alcohol and also provide essential nutrients that may help counter the effects the next day.

Avoid salty foods. There’s a good reason bartenders often put out bowls of pretzels and beer nuts. Salty foods make you drink more, so you’ll spend more money. What’s good for the bar’s bottom line, however, isn’t so good for your body. All that salt can dry you out, which can make hangovers even worse.

Top off your tank before going to bed. After a night of drinking alcohol, it’s a good idea to drink a few glasses of water as well. Being dehydrated is one of the main reasons hangovers feel so awful. Drinking water before bed and as soon as you get up in the morning will go a long way toward making you feel better.