How to Cure a Hangover

Hangover Helpers

Provided by Men's Health

Moderation may be your mantra, but we all cross the line now and then. That's why we tested 11 common hangover remedies. Use trial and error to figure out which work best for you.


RU-21 supplement

The Claim: It slows down the creation of a nasty by-product -- the one that causes headaches and nausea -- while speeding up the destruction of others.

Our Test: "Success. I woke up to a group of clearheaded people. There was no groaning, no puking, and no handing out aspirin," said our tester.

Our Test: Works, but only to a point. "Your metabolism is already running as fast as it can," says Dr. Swift. But if it's effective for you, go for it.


Stay Hydrated: Water

The Claim: Alcohol inhibits secretion of the hormone vasopressin, bringing on dehydration, which exacerbates the symptoms of a hangover.

Our Test: Two approaches: Drink loads at the end of a night, or drink throughout the evening. "For me, a glass every 2 hours worked great," said our tester.

The Verdict: "It puts you ahead of the game," says Robert Swift, M.D., of Brown University, adding that, unlike Coors, it's not a silver bullet. Try something else, too.



Gatorade

The Claim: Gatorade's six percent carbohydrate solution promotes rehydration better than mere water.

Our Test: "I downed two huge bottles at the end of the night," said our tester. "And I felt like a million bucks the next day."

The Verdict: It's a great substitute for plain old water. "The extra salt helps your body absorb the fluid more quickly," explains Dr. Swift.


Absorb Slower, Metabolize Faster: The Mega-Dinner

The Claim: Food delays gastric emptying in the stomach -- meaning alcohol stays there longer and is processed more slowly.

Our Test: "There's nothing like pounding a burger before a night of boozing. But the effect wore off as I kept drinking," said our tester.

The Verdict: A no-brainer. Don't drink on an empty stomach. "The longer alcohol stays in the stomach," says Dr. Swift, "the better your body breaks it down."


The Juice Chaser: Two glasses of OJ or tomato juice before bed

The Claim: The fructose in the juice speeds up metabolism, ridding your system of alcohol more quickly.

Our Test: "I felt as sick the next day as I would have otherwise," reported our still-queasy guinea pig. "It just didn't work."

The Verdict: Looks good on paper, but here's the fine print: "You'd have to drink at least 10 glasses," says Carlton K. Erickson, Ph.D., of the University of Texas.



Replace Essential Nutrients: Saltines

The Claim: Salt helps you retain the fluid you lose over a night of drinking. With 32 milligrams of salt per cracker, this is a surefire way to keep from drying up. (10, to be exact, washed down with 24 oz water)

Our Test: "Too labor-intensive. I would much rather pop a pill than shove crackers down my abused throat."

The Verdict: Drinking water is a better way to stay hydrated. But, "at the very least, it'll help dilute the alcohol in your stomach," says Dr. Swift.



The Bull's Eye: (12-oz glass of OJ mixed with a raw egg)

The Claim: Fructose in the OJ helps promote breakdown of alcohol, and egg protein replaces lost nutrients.

Our Test: "More vomit-inducing than the alcohol itself."

The Verdict: "There is no evident benefit to this concoction that would justify the risk of getting salmonella," says Dr. Swift.


Clear Your Head: Hair of the Dog

The Claim: Hangovers only hit once you sober up, so stay drunk.

Our Test: "I woke up feeling horrible. I was nauseous and grumpy. My head was pounding. Then I had three beers and felt like a new man," said our tester.

The Verdict: Fine, but you're just putting off the inevitable. Plus: "This could lead to alcohol abuse," says Erickson. Duh.



Drinking Only Light-Colored Alcohol (white wine, vodka, and gin)

The Claim: Lighter drinks have fewer headache-inducing congeners than darker drinks, like red wine, beer, and dark liquors.

Our Test: "I felt just as disgusting as on any other night of hard drinking. On the way home, I had to have my friend pull over so I could puke."

The Verdict: It actually does work--if you're drinking in moderation. "If you drink a quart of white wine, you're still going to get a hangover," says Erickson.