A hangover can put you out of motion for the entire day (Picture: Getty)
No one desires to start 2026 with a thumping headache, vomiting spells or the shakes, nevertheless it’s the fact for lots of people. As somebody who has spent one too many New 12 months’s Days hungover, I made a decision to ask the consultants how one can cease this from occurring while nonetheless having a superb evening. Their recommendation was clear – a greasy fry-up is not at all times the reply, and there is one other factor you need to be consuming as an alternative.Â
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The rationale that we really feel hungover after ingesting is especially right down to dehydration, so your first port of name ought to be sorting that out by ingesting some water. Everybody will pay attention to this, however there’s one thing you’ll be able to add to your water that’ll assist you to really feel an entire lot higher – electrolytes.Â
These are important minerals that our our bodies have to perform, as they assist our muscle tissue and nerves to perform, however we lose numerous these once we drink alcohol.Â
Dr Sanjay Mehta, GP at The London Common Observe, defined: “The most important impact is dehydration and that’s as a result of alcohol is a diuretic, which causes the lack of fluid and electrolytes that always results in the standard fatigue, complications and dizziness related to a hangover. So ideally, it’s best to just be sure you are nicely hydrated earlier than, throughout and after a interval of ingesting.
“To switch the misplaced electrolytes, you’ll be able to devour drinks wealthy in electrolytes or take over-the-counter electrolyte tablets, ideally taken earlier than you go to mattress so the absorption takes place as you sleep.”

Electrolyte drinks will help to minimize your hangover signs (Picture: Getty)
Though it is tempting to skip the water and make a cup of espresso as an alternative – particularly if you happen to’re drained and have someplace to be – this might really find yourself makig you’re feeling worse.Â
Iain Budd, prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, says that ingesting a espresso to sober up or do away with a hangover is nothing greater than a delusion.Â
He warned: “Caffeine could make you’re feeling extra alert, nevertheless it doesn’t assist your physique course of alcohol sooner, you’ll nonetheless be drunk, simply unsleeping. Espresso can also be diuretic, so it may possibly make dehydration worse, which is likely one of the primary causes you would possibly really feel unwell the subsequent day. Follow water or an electrolyte drink as an alternative.”
Electrolyte drinks are particularly efficient if you happen to’re feeling sick or dizzy post-drinking, in line with Dr Tamsin Lewis from Reborne Longevity. She says that taking ‘small sips’ is essential, explaining: “Alcohol irritates the abdomen lining. Ginger helps settle nausea, electrolytes forestall dehydration, and antacids cut back acid-related discomfort.”
Dehydration additionally lowers your blood strain, so if you happen to’re vulnerable to feeling lightheaded with a hangover, an electrolyte drink will help to kind you out.Â
However you do not simply get electrolytes by way of particular drinks or sachets – you may also devour it by way of weight loss plan too. Dr Ross Perry,  GP & Medical Director of Cosmedics www.cosmedics.co.uk, recommends consuming meals wealthy in potassium the day after ingesting, which can assist to clear these signs.Â
He stated: “Consuming meals the next day containing potassium akin to bananas, oranges, apricots, grapefruit honeydew and cantaloupe melon, leafy greens, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, mushroom and peas will assist to minimize the hangover and replenish the lack of electrolytes making you’re feeling higher faster.”

Getting sufficient sleep is a should if you wish to do away with a hangover (Picture: Getty)
In addition to electrolytes, the recommendation from the consultants additionally centered on one other important a part of hangover restoration – getting sufficient relaxation.Â
Belle Amatt, dietary therapist at W-Wellness, defined: “Alcohol shortens REM sleep and fragments the evening, so the next day ought to be about calm and restoration. Take heed to your physique and cat nap when the you’re feeling the urge; snuggle up with cosy blankets and a relaxed movie.”
And if there’s one factor you must do the evening earlier than for the most effective possibilities of sleeping, it is placing down the bottle as early as you probably can.Â
“If you would like a superb evening’s sleep, attempt having your final drop of alcohol sooner than standard,” steered Deborah Grayson, pharmacist from Digestion With Confidence.
“Early night and even late afternoon is finest as this reduces your ingesting window. It takes the liver an hour to metabolise every unit of alcohol. So if you happen to’ve completed two glasses of prosecco, which is three items, at 10pm, your liver will nonetheless be processing the alcohol at 1am, impacting the standard of your restorative sleep.”









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