Not everybody drinks alcohol and not everybody gets hangovers. But those who do get hangovers, and those who had at least one bad hangover in their lives know how uncomfortable and painful this after effect of alcohol consumption can be. There are many tips on how to prevent a hangover but there are also ways to make it shorter and easier to suffer through.
One of the most popular and most controversial methods for curing a hangover is to continue drinking. Many people believe this to be effective but the fact that it just postpones the hangover for the next day, and when it comes again, it will be heavier.
There are, however, some recipes that contain a small amount of alcohol and they are supposed to be taken in the morning. But the main ingredient, the one that gives the positive effect in those recipes is a raw egg. Eggs contain cysteine, a substance which helps flush out the acetaldehyde, a toxic product of alcohol metabolism in the liver.
One of the popular recipes is a Prairie Oyster. It combines a cup of tomato juice, some Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, and, of course, one whole raw egg. A finger of vodka is optional.
The Bloody Mary is a famous cocktail often used to cure a hangover. It is based on tomato juice with salt, pepper, hot sauce, lemon juice, horse radish, Worcestershire sauce and, optionally, vodka.
Alcohol causes dehydration of the body so it is vital to drink copious amounts of water or sports drinks, such as Gatorade. Sports drinks might be a better option, since they help restore the electrolytes.
A hangover usually includes a headache, so some pain relievers should be at hand. However, it is not recommended to use Aspirin, which can irritate the stomach, or Tylenol, which is not supposed to be mixed with alcohol because it may cause liver damage.
Sleep is very important for preventing a hangover, and it helps to take a little nap. On the other hand, coffee is often used as a remedy for a hangover, as it boosts the energy levels and brings some relieve in case of a headache, but it can irritate the already upset stomach and, because it is a diuretic, it may have a dehydrating effect.
A bouillon with some saltines or similar crackers is good for an upset stomach. This goes for bananas as well.
Fresh fruit and vegetable juice will re-hydrate the body and restore the nutrients necessary for fighting a hangover.
As for the supplements, magnesium and vitamins B and C are very helpful because they help the body cope with stress caused by alcohol, prevent the weakening of the immune system, and accelerate the metabolism in order to flush out the toxins.
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