Let's
face it: Hangovers happen. Maybe you had a beer to two more than your head
thinks you should have; perhaps you were drinking spirits or were mixing
alcoholic beverages. We certainly hope you didn't get behind the wheel of a
car, but don't think you deserve to suffer. Lets face it, we’ve all been
there, done that, got the tee shirt and don’t want to go back.
There
are more hangover "cures" than there are styles of beer. For
instance, there's the suggestion that you mix together vinegar and raw eggs,
and swig them down with a giant gulp. How about this one: Go back to the dog
that bit you (have another drink), I don’t suggest this one. Then back in
the Middle Ages one cure called for a mixture of bitter almonds and raw eel.
You
might find our advice a bit more useful and certainly more appetizing.
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If you can think about measures beforehand without spoiling your evening, then
the precautionary glass of milk really is worthwhile. It will retard the
absorption of alcohol, and protect your stomach against the worst consequent
irritations.
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If your are prepared to be bored, drink only vodka or one of the other
relatively pure continuous-still spirits.
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Some vermouths and digestifs may contain tiny traces of toxic compounds
deriving from their plant content, though this is open to argument. The same is
held to be true of fortified wines, and to a lesser extent of ordinary wines
and beers. Only the latter are likely to be drunk in quantity, but it is worth
watching out for labels that bring headaches.
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Alcohol causes dehydration because it is a diuretic. So is coffee, which may
therefore make you feel worse. Drink water before you go to bed, and leave some
handy in case you wake up in the night. Dehydration also causes that trembly
feeling.
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An irritated stomach may produce acid. That is why antacid patent medicine can
be helpful (though caution is advised if they contain aspirin). Mineral water
are alkaline as well as being quenching, so they are doubly useful.
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Sleep helps the body recover. For the same reason, a tired or unfit drinker is
especially vulnerable to hangovers -- and no two people respond in quite the
same way to each different drink.
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A bath is refreshing, and cleanses the soul.
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Vitamin C help the liver detoxify the blood, and B vitamins may be beneficial.
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Fructose helps the body metabolize alcohol. It also replaces blood sugar, which
may be low in the morning. A low level of blood sugar makes you feel weak. Eat
bread and honey.
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Jewish remedy: To combat dehydration, upset stomach and hunger, drink chicken
soup.
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