Most people have their own favourite hangover cures – some have worked for them in the past, while others are followed with hope, rather than any conviction that they will work. We look at the effectiveness of some of these remedies.
Water
Alcohol is a diuretic and, because the pounding headache and dry, fuzzy mouth are partly due to dehydration, drinking water will help speed your recovery. Try to drink a pint of water before going to bed after a drinking session. If you wake with a hangover, sip water little and often all day to get at least two litres pure water on board. Don't gulp down lots in one go – it might just come back up again.
To replenish potassium and other important mineral levels, take electrolyte solutions (made up from sachets or effervescent tablets) available from pharmacies. If you don't have any, a good substitute is clear consommé (if necessary, made from stock cubes).
B vitamins
B vitamins are quickly used up as the body processes alcohol in the body. Some people swear by toast plus yeast extract (rich in B-group vitamins), while others prefer a high-dose B-vitamin supplement such as Berocca.
Vitamin C
As the liver breaks down alcohol, millions of free radicals are produced, which contribute to the damaging effects of a drinking binge. One of the most important antioxidant enzymes in the liver is glutathione, which can quickly run low. As a result, free-radical damage to the liver increases (and in long-term drinkers can lead to liver damage, like alcoholic fibrosis and cirrhosis). Antioxidants such as vitamin C will help to support the liver while it processes alcohol. Take 1g vitamin C three times a day. If prone to indigestion after drinking, take the form known as ester-C, which is non-acidic.
It also helps to drink fresh orange juice, which provides fluid, potassium salts and vitamin C, plus fruit sugar (fructose) to help boost your depleted blood-sugar levels.
Caffeine
To help increase alertness and get those tired, aching muscles more energised, caffeine (traditionally in the form of strong, black coffee) will help clear a fuzzy head and reduce headache. Another good source of caffeine-like substances is guarana – extracted from the seeds of a Brazilian shrub. Caffeine is a diuretic, however, so if you opt for this cure drink lots of water, too. Don't take caffeine at night, as it will keep you awake and you'll wake up feeling worse.
Hairy Lemon tablets
This hangover remedy has been a smash success down under and aims to become a best-seller in Europe as well. However, our test woman found the loud fizzing as it dissolves in a glass of water almost unbearable and the bright, radioactive yellow colour blinding. Half an hour after taking it, she reported she felt even worse than before and said: 'This may work if you don't have a really hardcore hangover, but it just felt way too abrasive for my stomach.'
Hairy Lemon is available at Boots stores and Sainsbury's nationwide.
