You Need This: Tricks to Cure a Hangover Naturally

Overdo it last night? Rebound quickly with these all-natural hangover home remedies, most of which you likely have on hand.

vitamin b pills
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Load up on B vitamins

Alcohol depletes B vitamins from your system, which can make you feel worse the next day, explains Boston-based nutritionist Dana Greene, RD. Taking a 50 milligram B complex vitamin before you start drinking and another one while you’re drinking may help lessen or even your hangover in the morning. “The key word here is may,” she adds. B vitamins make the  list of supplements that doctors take every day.

glass of water with lemon slices and mint
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Stick to clear spirits

Darker liquors contain higher amounts of toxic substances called congeners, which contribute to hangovers, Greene says. Consider vodka or gin cocktails instead of rum or whiskey to avoid the hangover in the first place. “Of course, the best way to prevent a hangover is not to overdo it,” she says. Check out these simple tips to cut back on drinking alcohol.

mug of tea with lemon surrounded by lemon, ginger, honey, and mint
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Brew some ginger tea to settle your stomach

Ginger is one of the best remedies for settling an upset stomach, which is often a component of a hangover. Drinking ginger ale or munching on slices of fresh or pickled ginger will also ease an upset stomach, Greene says, Check out these surprising health benefits (and risks) of ginger.

glass of coconut water in front of halved coconut
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Gulp some coconut water

Rehydrating is one of the quickest ways to feel better after a hard night at the bar, and one cup of this refreshing liquid contains more electrolytes than most sports drinks—and more potassium than a banana, Greene says. “If you don’t have coconut water, sip Gatorade to replenish electrolytes and you should also keep drinking plain water, too.” Check out these 21 wacky hangover cures from around the world.

shower head with water coming out
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Try to sweat it out

The simplest way to overcome or cure a hangover is to get any remaining alcohol and toxins out of your system. Soaking in a hot bath or shower will help your body rid itself of nasty toxins that are making you feel worse. Be careful not to overdue it, though—and drink a cold glass of water while soaking to avoid further dehydration, Greene says. Baths actually have a lot of benefits for adults.

bowl with banana slices in front of ripe banana
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Eat a banana

Low levels of potassium leave you feeling weak, and can cause muscle cramps and soreness, and bananas are packed with potassium, which should help replace the minerals and electrolytes that your body lost while drinking, Greene says.  It won’t further upset your stomach, she says. Bananas are part of the BRAT diet which is recommended for nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. BRAT is an acronym for Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast, she says.

glasses of tomato juice surrounded by fresh tomatoes
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Drink some tomato juice

Tomato juice is rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that are lost after a long night of drinking, Greene says.  It also contains fructose, which aids in metabolizing alcohol that is still in your system. And as far as juice goes, tomato juice is one of the good guys. Here re some other healthy juices.

bowl of steaming miso soup with green onion and tofu
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Sip something fermented

Fermented foods contain healthy bacteria that can help an irritated tummy feel good as new. One example? Miso soup, which rehydrates your body with water, sodium, and other nutrients that were depleted through the diuretic effect of alcohol, Greene says. Other fermented foods that are known for their hangover relieving or curing qualities include sauerkraut and kombachu, a fermented drink of sweetened black or green tea. Eat these foods to boost your good gut bacteria.

Portrait of a young girl sleeping on a pillow
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Sleep it off

Sometimes sleeping it off is the best way to cure a hangover, Greene says, again stressing that not drinking too much is the best way to avoid feeling hungover.  “If you can sleep in, go for it,” she says. “If you can’t, you may think twice before tying on one next time if you know you have a full day ahead of you.” Here are some easy ways to sleep better.

Sources
Medically reviewed by Susan E. Spratt, MD, on September 01, 2019
Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest