How to Cure a Hangover, According to Health Experts

As you’re getting into the holiday spirits this year, don’t let the spirits — and other types of alcohol — kill the holiday cheer. 

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday party season, which may mean more festivities and more alcohol consumption than usual. But the next-day hangover might not leave you feeling so jolly. 

Google searches for “hangover cure” tend to spike around the Fourth of July and Halloween, and steadily rise between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to Google Trends data. People online swear by tons of remedies, from plunging their face into a bowl of ice water to buying electrolyte powders that are marketed as more effective than they actually are, to visiting a pricey IV clinic the next day. 

The only true cure for a hangover is time, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). 

But these health expert-backed tips can help ease hangover symptoms in the meantime. 

Drink plenty of water 

Even just a few sips of water can help your hangover, according to Harvard Health. Experts suggest staying well hydrated before, during and after drinking to mitigate feelings of dehydration the next day. For best results, Harvard recommends having a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage. 

“When fighting a hangover, hydration is key,” Allison Arnett, R.D., clinical program coordinator of the M.S. Nutrition Sciences Program at the University of New Haven, tells The Messenger via email. “Alcohol is dehydrating so drinking plenty of water is important.” 

Add electrolytes

You’ve probably reached for a Gatorade or Pedialyte one morning after a night out. 

In addition to hydrating with water, Arnett recommends consuming more electrolytes, which are 

“minerals critical to hydration and cellular function.” 

But some overly-sugary electrolyte drinks may also exacerbate stomach issues caused by a hangover, Arnett says. She recommends consuming foods that are naturally higher in electrolytes, such as coconut water, bananas, potatoes or citrus water with a pinch of salt.

Make sure to eat

Four margaritas isn’t dinner — sorry. 

“Always avoid drinking on an empty stomach,” Arnett says, noting that eating a meal beforehand helps slow the absorption of alcohol. 

One 2019 study found that people who ate foods higher in zinc and vitamin B3, such as meat, fish, poultry, nuts, and whole grains, had less severe hangovers than those who didn’t. But not all food is helpful — Arnett notes that having heavy meals or acidic foods post-hangover might further upset your stomach. 

Take a pain reliever — but read the label first

If your head is pounding or you’re feeling achy, a pain reliever may help. But make sure to go for aspirin, ibuprofen — such as Motrin or Advil — or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). 

Experts warn against taking Tylenol or other acetaminophens while you may still have alcohol in your system. Both are processed by the liver, and when taken together they can cause damage to the organ, according to Harvard Health.