Hangovers: fact v fiction
WE spend two years of our lives feeling hungover, a recent study found. And we often rely on a fryup, a lie-in and a hair of the dog to get us through it.
But just how effective are these fixes? We explore some common myths and reveal which ‘cures’ will help you feel better and which will make you feel even worse...
Intense exercise can help a hangover
Sweating it out by hitting the gym or going for a run is likely to make you feel a whole lot worse, says Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP, medical advisor at Drinkaware and clinical director of patient. co.uk. “Sweating will only make you feel more dehydrated,” she says.
A good walk, however, increases oxygen in your system, marginally speeding up the metabolism of alcohol.
It’s not just the alcohol that causes the hangover
Although the principal cause of hangovers is the ethanol – or actual alcohol – drinks with high levels of congeners (chemicals which contribute to their taste and colour) can worsen a hangover.
Dark drinks (such as port or dark spirits) tend to be the worst offenders, while pale drinks and more expensive alcohol contain fewer congeners as they undergo a more rigorous distillation process.
You should never mix grape and grain
There’s no scientific evidence to back this up, says Dr Jarvis. “However, the rationale behind it is that if you’re drinking lots of different types of alcohol, you’re more likely to underestimate your intake and therefore may drink more.”
Hangovers get worse as you get older
When we drink, our livers produce the enzyme dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol into a harmless chemical so that less of it enters the bloodstream. Young people – and regular drinkers – produce more of this enzyme, so they don’t feel the effects of alcohol as much as older people.
You can still be drunk in the morning
The body metabolises alcohol at the rate of one unit per hour. So if you had 12 units between 9pm and midnight, you could still be over the drink-drive limit at 7am.
A black coffee or energy drink will sober you up
“The caffeine in coffee may make you feel more alert, but it won’t sober you up,” warns Dr Jarvis. “It will also dehydrate you further and make it more difficult to sleep.” And studies show that the stimulating effect of caffeine can encourage people to stay out longer and drink more overall.
Canadian researchers found that energy drinks can mask the effect of alcohol and so increase the risk of injury through falls, car accidents and bar brawls.
Dr Jarvis says: “Mixing alcohol with energy drinks can be a dangerous combination – making people ‘wideawake drunk’, creating a false sense of security.”
The amount of caffeine in energy drinks can also cause heart palpitations, problems sleeping or feeling tense or agitated.
Taking painkillers can prevent a hangover
Dehydration is a major factor in causing hangovers, so taking painkillers beforehand won’t help prevent one, says Dr Jarvis, and any effect will have worn off by the time you wake up.
“Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, can cause irritation of the stomach lining – and this is more likely if taken with alcohol,” she warns.
Take soluble paracetamol combined with stomach-soothing ingredients, such as Resolve, the morning after if you need to.
Beer before wine and you’ll be fine
There’s no evidence that the order of your drinks will affect how you feel in the morning. What matters is the quantity of alcohol you consume.
“Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water to slow the absorption of alcohol,” advises Dr Jarvis.
Women suffer worse
A higher percentage of a man’s body weight is water so the alcohol in the drinks gets more diluted once in the system. Men also have higher levels of the enzyme dehydrogenase which breaks down alcohol.
Alcohol helps you sleep
Actually it is the opposite because being drunk prevents your brain from entering the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, during which you get the most rest. Alcohol suppresses glutamine production, one of the body’s natural stimulants, so when you stop drinking, the body starts overproducing it, keeping your mind active at just the wrong time.
Gin makes you maudlin
The myth stems from the 17th century when getting drunk on cheap gin was the only way for the povertystricken to escape the grim reality of life.
A fry-up will help you feel better
A fatty cooked breakfast is hard to digest and is a lot for your delicate stomach to cope with after a heavy night out, so is more likely to make you feel more nauseous, says Dr Jarvis.
However, if you can face them, scrambled or boiled eggs contain cysteine which breaks up acetaldehyde, a hangover-causing toxin.
Alternatively, nibble dry toast or lightly salted crackers to raise low blood-sugar levels and alleviate nausea.
Eat before bed
Unfortunately by that stage it’s far too late. “It’s better to eat before drinking because the presence of food in your stomach will slow down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, giving your liver more time to deal with it,” says Dr Jarvis.
The hair of the dog
“Drinking alcohol the morning after just postpones the inevitable, and your eventual hangover is likely to be even worse,” warns Dr Jarvis.
It’s also a worrying habit to get into. Far better to drink water or sports drinks (to replace lost electrolytes). If you’re really dehydrated, try rehydration sachets to replace lost minerals and salt.