The #1 Best Supplement To Cure a Hangover, Say Dietitians
So you've just spent a night out drinking with friends, or maybe you got a little carried away at happy hour. Either way, you wake up the next day with a terrible headache and the feeling that all you want to do is turn off the lights and go back to bed. Hangovers after having a little too much to drink are not fun, but they're super common.
Everyone has their own go-to cure for a hangover. Maybe you like to wake up and eat a greasy breakfast, or maybe you treat yourself to some iced coffee and Ibuprofen. Even though there are many different options for alleviating annoying hangover symptoms, are there supplements or vitamins out there that are proven to help?
To learn more, we asked a couple of dietitians to weigh in. According to Rachel Fine, RDN, founder of To The Pointe Nutrition, and Nataly Komova, RD, the most important supplement to take to cure a hangover is something that will rehydrate you!
But first, why do we get hangovers?
Hangover symptoms can include anything from headaches, nausea, dry mouth, poor sleep, dizziness, or mood changes. But what about drinking alcohol leads to a hangover?
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a few common reasons that excessive alcohol consumption may lead to these symptoms the next day. For one, alcohol can make your body produce more stomach acid, which in turn can increase irritation to your stomach lining. Alcohol can also cause a drop in your blood sugar, as well as an increase in how much you urinate. Drinking can also lead to poorer sleep.
All of these possible causes can lead to the unwanted symptoms of a hangover the next day.
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Drinking electrolytes to help cure a hangover
Because of what too much alcohol does to your body, dietitians say that it's crucial to stay hydrated. In an ideal world, we would continually hydrate while we drink, but that's not always the case. Because of that, rehydrating after a night of drinking can help restore your body back to normal.
"I am persuaded beyond doubt that water is the best supplement for a hangover. While this is not something you may have expected to hear, this is what I have to say: You lose large amounts of water and vitamins on a night of heavy drinking. Replacing this water after those frequent bathroom runs can ease the hangover symptoms," says Komova.
Fine takes this a step further by suggesting that you choose water with electrolytes. "Because alcohol is a diuretic, it's helpful to replace losses with not just water, but also, an electrolyte-rich beverage like coconut water, which is a great source of potassium," says Fine.
If you're not a fan of coconut water, you can always try an electrolyte drink mix to add to your water, like Cure, Liquid IV, or Drip Drop.
