Eating greasy foods may help slow the absorption of alcohol in the blood.
“Most people think that they need to eat greasy food to absorb the alcohol but that isn't true,” says Shapiro. “By then the alcohol has been digested and processed by your body so there is nothing to 'absorb. ' What you are feeling are the effects of dehydration and low blood sugar.
Dr Jatindar Thompson, a GP at Spire Gatwick Park Hospital, said: "A common myth persists that eating greasy food after drinking alcohol helps absorb the alcohol from your system, easing hangover symptoms. "Unfortunately, this isn't true; any alcohol you drank will already have entered your bloodstream."
Bacon and eggs
However you like your bacon and eggs, this greasy dish is perfect hangover food.
The myth that eating tacos, pizza, and burgers will help "soak up" the alcohol is just wrong. "Greasy food doesn't soak up anything, it's not soluble in water," White said.
Grease, contrary to popular belief, won't absorb the alcohol (especially if you slept before eating—your body already absorbed it). Not only that, but if you've ever woken up with an upset stomach kind of hangover, greasy food's only gonna make it worse. Not that you shouldn't eat after a night of drinking.
Greasy Food
Contrary to popular knowledge, heading to the local takeaway joint is not a great idea. Turns out, a large, fatty meal is better at preventing a hangover than curing one, since fried foods can irritate the stomach.
When you drink alcohol, your body experiences a variety of changes. This includes alterations to the type of food you crave. Interestingly enough, alcohol intake encourages the brain to release galanin, the neurochemical that promotes a need for fatty foods. It also explains all those late night jaunts for pizza.
No food can erase the effects of a night of drinking alcohol, but the best hangover foods are hydrating and anti-inflammatory. Rest helps, too. Try to avoid greasy foods, sugar, and caffeine which can make your symptoms worse. Instead, stick to water and foods like bananas and crackers.
Any food will help, but carbohydrates — like bread, pasta or potatoes — slow down how quickly your body absorbs the alcohol. Eating during or after drinking alcohol may make you feel less intoxicated, but it doesn't mean you've sobered up and are no longer impaired.
Does eating before bed absorb the alcohol and help your hangover? No. By the time you get to bed, the alcohol will have left your stomach and been absorbed into your bloodstream, so it's too late to have any effect on alcohol absorption.
Want to gain an edge over plain old water to treat your hangover? Consider reaching for Gatorade, Pedialyte, Powerade, or a similar nonfizzy sports drink.
“For the alcohol-influenced mind, junk food provides the perfect solution: salty, stodgy food to make us feel full.” However, while you might crave a McDonald's when you're hungover, Dr Simic advises you against this.
McDonalds Coke
Once again this is a myth, but lots of people claim McDonald's coke has a magical effect on hangovers. People also say it has to be just right- not too fizzy, not too cold, not too flat, not too warm. Well I agree, when it is just right it can move the earth, but it is not a cure.
Congeners are compounds, other than ethyl alcohol, that are produced during fermentation. These substances contribute to the taste and smell of alcoholic beverages. Darker spirits, such as bourbon, which tend to have higher levels of congeners than clear spirits, could worsen hangover symptoms for some people.
Nutritionist Ian Marber says: “Milk last thing at night might help replace lost minerals,” while Shah adds: “Milk contains a protein called casein, which can counteract alcohol and aid sleep.”
You'll want to avoid foods that are difficult to break down and hard on your gastrointestinal system. Foods high in saturated fat should be avoided or limited, as well as fried, greasy foods.
Alcohol makes you dehydrated on its own. So, consuming salty and greasy food will only soak up your body fluids even more.
Alcohol intoxication triggers the appetite and promotes binge-eating by increasing activity levels in the areas of the brain that control reward and regulate eating behaviors – the hypothalamus, the ventral frontal cortex, and the ventral striatum.
Shafer says hangovers usually resolve within 24 hours. But, those 24 hours can be rough due to symptoms, including fatigue, thirst or dry mouth, headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, poor sleep, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, shakiness, irritability and rapid heartbeat. Dr.
Fruit juice: Pour a glass of apple or cranberry juice to kick start the recovery process. The fructose in sweet fruity drinks gives the body some instant energy, and may even help boost metabolism to get rid of those gnarly alcohol toxins. Juice also contains vitamins and plenty of water to get the body rehydrated.
McDonald's Eggs Sandwiches
According to Medical News Today, eggs are a great hangover cure food because "eggs are a good source of nutrients and contain simple proteins that are particularly gentle on the stomach." Plus, the biscuit will give your body some carbs to help sop up the last of that ethanol.
Milk does not contain magic hangover-curing ingredients. It's a nutritious drink that will provide you with some energy and hydration. And more importantly, you may be able to tolerate it better than a meal in the morning when hungover. But it really doesn't matter what type of milk you go for.
Drink one glass of water 30 minutes before a meal to help digestion. Remember not to drink too soon before or after a meal as the water will dilute the digestive juices. Drink water an hour after the meal to allow the body to absorb the nutrients.