Holiday Hangover Advice: What Actually Helps—and What to Avoid Today

Overview

• Doctors explain that hangovers stem from interacting inflammatory, metabolic and neurological effects of alcohol, with acetaldehyde toxicity and dehydration driving headache, nausea and fatigue.
• The liver clears roughly half to one standard drink per hour, and lingering inflammation and sleep disruption can prolong symptoms for 12 to 24 hours even after alcohol is eliminated.
• Rehydration with water, coconut water or isotonic/rehydration solutions helps replace electrolytes, and light foods such as eggs, oats, bananas and broths can steady blood sugar and ease an irritated stomach.
• After heavy drinking, avoid paracetamol due to liver risk and use anti‑inflammatories cautiously because of stomach irritation and potential bleeding; skip the so‑called hair of the dog and go easy on caffeine.
• Severity varies by genetics, liver health and drink congeners, with darker spirits and red wine tending to hit harder, and experts emphasize prevention and attention to warning signs like persistent vomiting, confusion or severe abdominal pain.