Some of the Best Cures for Hangover

The symptoms of a hangover are often caused by dehydration and the inevitable loss of vitamins and minerals that goes with the loss of water from the body. The simplest way to stop a hangover before it starts is to eat a healthy protein-filled snack, take multi-vitamin pills, and drink several glasses of water before indulging in alcoholic drinks. But if you fail to prepare and you do wake up with a hangover, why not give one or more of these home-style cures a try?

(1) BANANAS
Why it works: When you drink alcohol, you tend to urinate excessively, and as you dehydrate you lose a lot of potassium. When you’re low on potassium, you may feel weak or tired and may suffer from cramps, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. If you eat a banana to help restore your potassium levels you’ll be feeling better fast.

(2) EGGS
Why it works: When you drink alcohol your body produces a hangover-inducing toxic substance called acetaldehyde. It then reacts to the toxin by producing cysteine-rich glutathione to counteract it. But that supply of glutathione is limited and is quickly depleted, leaving the hangover-producing acetaldehyde in your system while your body makes more glutathione. Eggs, however, are rich in cysteine and can help remove some of the remaining toxins.

(3) ASPARAGUS
Why it works: A study last year showed that asparagus can help ease hangover symptoms. This vegetable is packed with amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that can restore the nutrients you lost, as well as protect your liver cells against the toxins in alcohol.

(4) GINGER ROOT (in tea or ginger ale)
Why it works: Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that helps to ease nausea by reducing the oxidative stress that causes your stomach to ache. It also blocks the serotonin receptors in the stomach that lead to nausea.

(5) PICKLES
Why it works: After you’ve spent a night drinking alcohol, your dehydrated body will have lost a lot of vitamins, minerals, and salt. Pickles are rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamin A, iron, potassium, vitamin K, calcium, and manganese. So eating a couple of pickles can help restore your sodium levels while helping to balance your vitamin and mineral levels.

(6) FRUIT JUICE
Why it works: Fruit juice (without added sugar or artificial sweetener) can help stabilize your blood-sugar levels and some of your hangover symptoms. In addition, fruit juice will help restore some of the electrolytes you’ve lost.

(7) SAUERKRAUT
Why it works: Sauerkraut can help restore your sodium levels, making your headache disappear, while at the same time helping to kick-start your digestion and relieve your upset stomach. Cabbage contains the good bacteria Lactobacilli plantarum, which will help fight digestion problems, plus a high level of lactic acid, which will help break down proteins in your digestive tract.

(8) HONEY and LEMON TEA
Why it works: A warm tea consisting of honey and lemon juice in water will help to restore lost fluids and sugars, relieving hangover headache.

(9) WATER
Why it works: Restoring your fluid level should be your top priority, and pure water is the best source of fluid to rehydrate your body. Once you get your fluids balanced your headache will ease and your stomach will settle down.

Source: Alice Wessendorf, http://www.HealthierTalk.com/