4 ways to (try) and cure your hangover

The diary is chock-a-block with Christmas parties, family get-togethers, and nights on the tiles with friends. That can only mean one thing – the dreaded hangover. We’ve all been there, right? That last round of tequila shots sounded like a mighty fine idea, but now it’s the morning after the night before and you are paying for it – with interest. Your head is pounding, your stomach is queasy, and it feels like something small and furry crawled into your mouth overnight and died there. Granted, the damage has well and truly been done – but what can you do about it now? How do you cure that hangover? Heck, can you even cure a hangover? Well, that depends on who you ask. There’s a host of weird and wonderful hangover cure claims floating around, but the old saying ‘horses for courses’ applies here. That is to say, what works for one person may not do a thing for another. At the risk of stating the obvious, the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink less alcohol. Or none at all.It’s also a very good idea to eat a decent meal before heading out, and alternating between an alcoholic beverage and a hydrating glass of water can lessen the effects of a hangover. Assuming, though, that all that sage advice went out of the window last night, here’s six hangover cures to try. A hearty bowl of soup Okay, so this is only a good idea if you can still stand straight, but Austrians swear by this method. When you’ve had a skinful of booze, grab a big bowl of goulash soup before heading to bed. It will prevent the alcohol soaking further into your bloodstream, and is always a better idea than that kebab you were craving at 3am. Eat a protein breakfast Dr Andrew Irvine, who published How To Cure A Hangover, suggests a simple breakfast. “Protein, in the form of eggs, will help your hypoglycaemia (when your blood levels are dropped), as will porridge,” he says. “The headache should ease once the blood sugar level has been corrected, then take some soluble paracetamol.” Berocca The Aussies, it’s fair to say, seem know a thing or two about drinking. After one too many tinnies, simply drop a tablet of this over-the-counter, nutrient-packed tablet in a glass of water. Works best if you do the same before drinking. It may not completely cure your hangover, but it’s a refreshing pick-me-up that’s packed with vitamins. Paracetamol Dissolve a soluble paracetamol tablet in a glass of water and not only will it go a long way towards curing that throbbing headache, but it will provide rehydration, which is all important. Unlike Ibuprofen it won’t irritate the stomach. Be warned, though: too much paracetamol is toxic to the liver – and it has probably taken enough of a pounding as it is.