I’m a nutritionist – here’s what to eat and drink to cure hangovers

Did you have too much last night?

There is no hell fresher than a hangover: nausea, dry mouth, hot shame and anxiety. No suffering soul has ever sought a cure in the form of breakfast at dinner or the hair of the dog.

“A hangover is a clinical condition characterized by a combination of effects from alcohol metabolism and dehydration,” said Dr. Johnny Parvani, REVIV’s founder and chief medical officer, previously told The Post.

Alcohol affects everyone in different ways, but hangover victims often report fatigue, weakness, thirst, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, stomach pains, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, irritability, sweating, and increased blood pressure.

And with the grim realization that addiction can worsen over time, there’s no time like the present to find a lasting solution to overindulgence.

Registered dietitian Bianca Tamburello with news agency FRESH Communications told Well+Good that while the damage can’t be undone, there are ways to ease the pain with nutritious food and drink.

Electrolytes

Priority No. 1? Hydrate and replenish. Kellyann Petrucci, a certified nutrition consultant, previously told The Post, “Hydration and balancing electrolytes are key to helping relieve hangovers. By maintaining adequate water intake, you can support the process of eliminating toxins from the body.”

In addition to sipping water, Tamburello said adding powdered electrolytes to bottles or drinking Pedialyte can help bring the body back to life. “These drinks rehydrate the body and replenish electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium,” she said. “They also help raise blood sugar levels, which are often low during a hangover as well.”

Hydrating fruits

You can also get your electrolytes and fiber by eating hydrating fruits and vegetables.

Courtney Smith, a registered dietitian in Florida, a diabetes specialist and founder of Keys to Nutrition, told The Post, “The foods that should be consumed most for hydration would be fruits and vegetables with a high water content. These include celery, cucumbers, watermelon and zucchini. These help with hydration because they are 90% water or more.”

Besides being rich in water, fruits like watermelon and orange supply the body with electrolytes and natural sugars to boost low blood sugar. Oranges offer even more help with booze flu as they come with immune-supporting vitamin C.

ok soup

Petrucci told The Post that bone broth is both a prophylactic and a medicine, “Bone broth is a trendy superfood for a reason. If you’re heading out for the evening and looking forward to enjoying some good food and cocktails, drinking a bone broth before you go will help fuel your body with a good balance of nutrition – and it fills you up, so you may actually end up eating and drinking less.”

If you’ve already crossed into hangover territory, drinking bone broth can help you crawl back to the land of the living, as it’s low in sodium but high in collagen, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.

“Now, I’m not saying it will cure or prevent hangovers, but by supplying your body with essential nutrients and electrolytes — which also support optimal gut health — you’re helping your body’s functions perform at their best. theirs,” added Petrucci.

Salmon

While fish may seem like a strange decision when fighting the effects of a hangover, Tamburello claimed that some key nutrients in salmon can provide real relief. Alcohol robs you of not only your dignity, inhibitions, and electrolytes, but also B vitamins, which fish can help restore.

She explained to Well+Good: “Salmon is a balanced and delicious food after a hangover because it provides vitamin B6 and B12, which regulate the regular functions of the body. It’s also high in omega-3 fats, which can help inflammation caused by drinking alcohol.”

Soft basics

If your hangover is characterized by upset stomach and a constant need to throw up, simple, tasty and digestible foods are your best bet for feeling better. Bland foods like rice and toast are more likely to go down and stay down.

Bananas are another great choice as they contain a healthy dose of potassium.