What foods help with Hangovers?

Kevin Hayes,
Hangover

So….you over did it last night at the bar and now you have the dreaded hangover. Millions of people have found themselves just like you trying to figure out how to make the morning after not suck so bad.  Below is a list from the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH of foods and beverages you may want to try to help ease the pain and suffering of a hangover.

  1. Sports drink/electrolyte-enhanced beverage. The road to hangover recovery starts with good hydration. Since alcohol is a diuretic, it makes you pee more and leads to dehydration. When you have a hangover, you’re already dehydrated and your electrolyte level is low. Consuming a sports drink, coconut water or an electrolyte-enhanced beverage before you go to bed or as soon as you get up can help replace lost electrolytes from drinking. Or just simply focus on drinking water – it will help support your body in recovering from the hangover. (Remember, next time you drink try to have a glass of water between each alcoholic drink.)
  2. Salmon. Low levels of B6 and B12 vitamins are said to intensify hangovers. Salmon is rich in both B vitamins and can help you get back up to a more comfortable level. It might sound odd, but adding this fish to your diet the day after drinking can help perk you back up, especially because salmon is known to decrease inflammation.
  3. Mangoes and other fruits. There’s evidence that the natural sugars found in honey and natural fruits can actually help you move the alcohol out of your system faster. Try eating mangos, grapes, oranges, pears and plantains. Watermelon is also another great option since it has such a high water content and it can help you rehydrate.
  4. ‘Bland’ foods. “This is what we call the ‘BRAT’ diet,” says Zumpano. “Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.” These plain foods are easy for the body to digest and are often recommended when someone is not feeling well, specifically an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea or having trouble eating or keeping food down. These foods also tend to contain carbohydrates, which can settle an upset stomach and help boost your blood sugar. Bananas are also rich in potassium, which your body needs when it’s low on electrolytes from drinking too much.
  5. Ginger. Ginger has been found to reduce nausea, so incorporating it into your diet the day after drinking can settle your upset stomach and help you feel better. Reach for dried ginger, ginger tea or try grating ginger into a fresh smoothie.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

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