Long revered for its spicy blend of flavors, the Bloody Mary has been lauded as the perfect “hair of the dog,” or hangover cure. Its mix of salt, vegetables, and protein is believed to help restore electrolytes and steady a stomach after a night of indulging. Plus, that nip of vodka might stave off some symptoms.
Here are more suggestions to prevent or relieve a hangover:
WATER, WATER, AND MORE WATER. Drink a glass or two between drinks while you’re out imbibing, and then drink two to three glasses before you fall into bed. Since alcohol is a diuretic, it can cause dehydration, which worsens a hangover.
COFFEE. If you are a regular consumer of caffeine, then down a cup or two of coffee. But beware: caffeine, like alcohol, is a diuretic. (Though it also can be noted that coffee’s main ingredient is water, so it really isn’t that much of a dehydrator.)
SIMPLE CARBS. Remember mom’s cure for tummy problems? Nibbling on some whole-grain toast, noshing on a croissant, or just getting a small sandwich into your stomach after a night of drinking can help ease a hangover’s ill effects.
FOOD. If you eat while you drink, the food slows the absorption of alcohol and moderates its effects. Certain foods containing sulfur, especially asparagus, can aid liver metabolism. In general, opt for nutrition-rich greens and protein.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS. Ibuprofen and naproxen (Advil and Aleve) are best. Forget acetaminophen or Tylenol, which affect your liver; note too that aspirin slows the metabolism of alcohol, so taking aspirin while drinking can increase intoxication.
BANANAS OR COCONUT WATER. Potassium loss occurs during a night of drinking, so it’s a good idea to replenish your body. A nonalcoholic pina colada smoothie in the morning is a rather tasty cure.
GINGER, PEPPERMINT, MILK THISTLE, AND TURMERIC. These herbs have been reported as helpful in easing different symptoms of hangovers. Try steeping them in hot water for a healing cup of tea.
ABSINTHE. Drink this spirit as the last drink of the night. This isn’t scientific, but many absinthe lovers swear by it.
Remember that your body takes about an hour to process a single serving of alcohol—twelve ounces of beer, six ounces of wine, or an ounce and a half of booze. One cocktail could contain two or more servings of alcohol. If you’re drinking more than your body can process, you are at greater risk for a hangover.
Jeanette Hurt is the award-winning writer and author of eight culinary and
drink books, including The Cheeses of California: A Culinary Travel Guide, which received the 2010 Mark Twain Award for Best Travel Book, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine and Food Pairing. She's written for TheKitchn.com, Four Seasons Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Entrepreneur.com, and dozens more publications.
Excerpted from Drink Like a Woman: Shake. Stir. Conquer. Repeat. by Jeanette Hurt. Copyright © 2016. Available from Seal Press, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, a subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
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