11 Research-Backed Hangover Remedies You'll Wish You Knew Sooner 11 Research-Backed Hangover Remedies You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

11 Research-Backed Hangover Remedies You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

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11 Research-Backed Hangover Remedies You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

Let's face it-hangovers are brutal. From splitting headaches to relentless nausea, a night of fun can leave your body begging for mercy the next morning. While no magic cure exists, science-backed strategies can help you bounce back faster and feel human again.

Here's your 2025 guide to recovering from a hangover-with remedies that actually work.

1. Hydrate Smart with Electrolytes

coconut water

Water alone won't fix a hangover. After all, alcohol flushes out essential minerals along with fluids. Replenishing electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium can ease headaches and fatigue more effectively than plain water.

  • Pro tip: Go for coconut water, electrolyte tablets, or a sports drink low in sugar.

2. Eat Fruits Rich in Natural Sugars

Fructose (the natural sugar in fruit) helps your liver process alcohol faster.

  • Best picks: Grapes, apples, honey, and pears.

3. Prickly Pear Cactus Extract

This desert plant isn't just trendy-it's clinically proven to reduce hangover symptoms by targeting alcohol-induced inflammation.

  • When to take: Before drinking for best results.

4. Ginger to Settle Your Stomach

ginger tea

Nausea and vomiting? Ginger is your best friend. Its anti-nausea properties are backed by both traditional wisdom and modern science.

  • How to use: Brew ginger tea or suck on ginger candies.

5. Replenish B Vitamins & Zinc

Heavy drinking depletes your body's stores of vitamins and minerals. Studies link higher intake of zinc and B vitaminswith less severe hangovers.

  • Hack: Take a B-complex and zinc supplement with breakfast.

6. Move a Little-But Skip the Gym

Light exercise stimulates blood flow and endorphin release, helping your body clear alcohol byproducts. But avoid intense workouts while dehydrated.

  • Best choice: Take a slow walk outside.

🔗 Study

7. Keep Sipping Water (But Don't Rely on It Alone)

Hydrating combats thirst and dryness but doesn't resolve all symptoms. Combine water with electrolytes for maximum effect.

8. Consider IV Therapy (For Severe Cases Only)

If you're severely dehydrated, IV fluids rich in electrolytes and vitamins can help-but these are typically only needed after excessive alcohol intake.

🔗 Medical Guide

9. Use Peppermint Aromatherapy

peppermint oil

Inhaling peppermint oil can relieve nausea and headaches within minutes.

  • Try: Dabbing a drop under your nose or using a diffuser.

10. Prioritize Sleep-Your Body's Natural Detox

Alcohol disrupts REM sleep, leaving your brain foggy. Rest allows your body to reset and process alcohol toxins naturally.

  • What helps: Go back to bed if you can.

11. Skip the "Hair of the Dog"

Drinking more alcohol delays the detox process and worsens dehydration. Masking symptoms only prolongs your misery.

Bonus: What Science Says Doesn't Work

  • Greasy breakfasts - Can worsen nausea.

  • Energy drinks - May overstimulate your heart while dehydrated.

  • Activated charcoal - Ineffective after alcohol absorption.

Your Smart Hangover Survival Plan

  1. Rehydrate with electrolytes

  2. Eat potassium-rich fruits and light carbs

  3. Take B vitamins + zinc

  4. Use ginger and peppermint for nausea

  5. Move gently and sleep more

  6. Skip unnecessary remedies and "hair of the dog"

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 2016 and has been updated for comprehensiveness and latest insights.