Is a night out on the town or a night in with your friends on tap? Expect to be taking down a bit more booze than usual? That, of course, could mean a nasty hangover is in the cards when you wake up in the morning. That said, hangovers are always a little bit easier to get through when you have the right snacks on standby. To help, we’re breaking down some of the best foods to help you cure your hangover on that dreaded morning after.
And no, sorry friends, having a “hair of the dog” to relieve a hangover did not make the cut.
In fact, scientists have recently determined that there is no “real cure” for a bad hangover, and those products claiming to resolve a heavy night of drinking don’t actually work. Sorry to break the news, but researchers from King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust looked at 21 supposed “hangover cures” and independently tested each. The university’s research team found that although these remedies made participants feel better than usual after a long night of drinking, the evidence-based research and claims behind these products are limited and imprecise. Hence, they don’t work.
However, a research team in Germany recently discovered that a certain combination of plant extracts, minerals, and vitamins effectively relieve hangover symptoms. A couple of years ago, researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany created one of the few hangover remedies actually backed by legitimate scientific research. Researchers tested and concluded that a compound made of plant extracts including ginger root and ginkgo biloba as well as minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, potassium, sodium bicarbonate, zinc, and riboflavin, just to name a few, is highly effective at relieving hangovers.
Now, that’s not to say you should run out and binge drink because there’s a magic elixir for the next day. As you’re probably aware, there are incredible health risks associated with drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis, especially as a college student.
Long-term health risks aside, drinking too much in college can definitely compromise your future success. Researchers from Penn State University say that over the course of four years, the average college student experiences 102 alcohol-related consequences the next day. These consequences range from blackouts and hangovers to missing class or work as a result of drinking too much the night before. Certainly not something that goes over well in the professional world.
But, that’s enough of the hangover studies and research, you came to see the best foods for hangovers, and that’s exactly what we have for you. Study Finds did the research, consulting 10 well-known websites to find the best foods for hangovers as recommended across the internet. As always, feel free to share your personal favorites in the comments section below!
The List: Top 5 Best Foods for Hangovers, As Recommended by Medical Experts and Foodies Alike
1. Eggs
Topping the list of the best foods for hangovers are eggs. The breakfast staple has long been a favorite among health enthusiasts and foodies alike as one of the best foods for hangovers. Eggs claimed the top spot across more than half of the lists we looked at during our search for the best foods for hangovers, and for good reason. Not only do they taste great, but eggs are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that aid your body in recovering from too much alcohol the night before.
“Eggs may help as they are a rich source of cysteine, which is an amino acid used by the body to produce glutathione,“ explains Good to Know.
Cysteine is also found in other high-protein foods, too. Good news for anyone who doesn’t care for eggs. Still though, this traditional breakfast item is good for hangovers, regardless of how you cook them.
“Eggs are packed with the nutritional goodness of vitamin D, vitamin B1, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, selenium and zinc. Being protein-dense means they also help us feel fuller for longer to help fight the inevitable hangover munchies that can lead to endless snacking,” writes Newsweek.
One of the biggest reasons eggs are so great for hangovers is they help your body recover. “Drinking alcohol decreases the body’s stores of glutathione. Without it, your body has difficulty breaking down the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism,” explains Healthline.
“Eating cysteine-rich eggs is a great way to increase glutathione in your body and possibly improve hangover symptoms,” adds Healthline.
2. Bananas
Another excellent vitamin that works to combat the effects of drinking the next day is potassium, which brings us to our next item on the list of best foods for hangovers – bananas. Bananas and other fruits that are high in potassium help your body recover from the impacts of too much alcohol the night before.
“Alcohol blocks the production of a hormone that helps your body hold on to water, leading to dehydration and the loss of electrolytes like potassium and sodium,” explains Healthline.
“Bananas are especially rich in potassium and can help replenish your body’s stores. One medium banana contains 9% of the daily value (DV) for potassium,” adds Healthline.
And bananas help in other ways beyond just replenishing potassium, as Medical News Today explains. “Bananas also contain fiber and sugar. Fiber promotes digestion and can alleviate digestive symptoms; sugar provides the energy a person needs to start the day.”
We know this isn’t what some of you want to hear, but choosing healthy, nourishing whole foods over greasy takeout or fried foods is always smart, especially when you’re nursing a nasty hangover. “Grab a banana instead of reaching for that greasy plate of sausages and bacon. Your body will most definitely thank you; I know that mine does,” adds Restaurant Clicks.
3. Avocados
The next food item to frequently make the lists of the best foods for hangovers is avocados. We get it, you might not think of avocados as being a top food choice when you’re hungover, but avocados contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that help your body recover from a late night at the bar with friends.
“Like bananas, avocados have tons of potassium and can aid with hangover symptoms like dehydration and muscle aches,” writes Restaurant Clicks.
“They can also help to shield your liver. Since the liver takes a pounding during a heavy night of drinking, giving it extra care the next day is essential,” adds Restaurant Clicks.
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of eating avocados for a hangover is their versatility. You can blend them up to make guacamole or spread a little mashed avocado on some whole grain toast for a delicious snack.
“Also, researchers in Japan have discovered five compounds within avocados that protect against liver damage. Win-win,” writes Women’s Health.
So, unlike bananas, avocados also help protect your liver. Who would’ve thought all that guacamole could ultimately be helpful? Just beware, avocados can upset your stomach, explains Medical News Today. “Avocados are another excellent source of potassium and calories for anyone needing a boost in the morning. However, some people may find that the fat in avocados irritates their digestive system.”
4. Salmon
The next food we came across the most frequently across expert sites for the best food for hangovers is salmon. We know, you might not immediately think about a nice piece of fish after a long night of partying, but salmon contains everything your body needs to fight off the effects of last night’s overindulgence.
“Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are excellent at decreasing inflammation in your body,” explains Healthline.
“Since drinking alcohol can increase the number of compounds that cause inflammation, eating salmon or other fatty fish may be a good way to ease hangover symptoms,” adds Healthline.
Salmon contains more than just Omega-3 fatty acids that help you out when you’re not feeling so great after drinking. “B vitamins are often lost when your body metabolises alcohol, and since these water soluble nutrients are not stored in the body, they need to be replaced, stat. Protein-packed salmon is a powerful source of B vitamins, and it’s also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which help to soothe inflammation,” explains Women’s Health.
But, when you’re hungover, you don’t just want something good for you, you want something that tastes good to eat. Well, the good news is salmon is an incredibly diverse protein that’s also light on a heavy stomach.
“You’re dehydrated, have puffy eyes and feel like a 6 out of 10. Well, salmon can help you out. Why not grab some sushi with fresh salmon and salty soy sauce. Chuck in an order of miso on the side to aid with hydration and digestion. Yum!,” exclaims Eat First.
5. Chicken Noodle Soup
You didn’t read that wrong, chicken noodle soup is great for hangovers. Chicken Noodle Soup is perhaps the most ‘traditional’ comfort food to eat when you’re feeling sick with a cold or flu. So, it stands to reason this classic soup is also a top choice across lists of best foods for hangovers.
According to Delish, chicken noodle soup makes an incredible substitute for greasy fast food. “You might only be gravitating to salty, fast foods because you want comfort food. Chicken noodle is perfect because you’re going to get the protein from the chicken, electrolytes from the broth, and easy-to-digest carbs.”
“Not only may you get away with your co-workers thinking you’ve just come down with a cold, chicken noodle soup is an excellent hangover cure! Due to a high sodium and electrolyte content, it can help increase hydration. Plus, stocked with good carbs and maybe some veg and protein, it covers all bases,” adds Eatfirst.
And a little bit of chicken noodle soup goes a long way. “Research shows that chicken noodle soup can help you rehydrate — mostly due to its high sodium content,” explains Healthline. “One cup (240 grams) of chicken noodle soup provides 32% of the DV for sodium,” adds Healthline.
Sources:
- Men’s Journal
- Healthline
- Delish
- Eatfirst
- Newsweek
- Good to Know
- Restaurant Clicks
- Refinery 29
- Women’s Health
- Medical News Today
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations
