Best hangover cures: Is beer before wine actually fine? How to get rid of a hangover according to science

Hangovers happen to the best of us. The evening in question typically starts off with the promise of "just going for one" and before you know it you wake up with a pounding headache and a misplaced bank card.

At best, you'll feel a bit rough around the edges or, at the other end of the 'how hungover am I really?' spectrum, even so much as looking at an empty wine glass will make you want to run to the toilet.

Whilst the only absolute way to avoid a hangover is to abstain from alcohol altogether, there are some steps you can take to help ease symptoms.

Here, nutritionist Alice Mackintosh reveals some of her top tips for beating hangovers.

Why do we get hangovers?

"Everybody responds differently to alcohol but most commonly, the feeling of being hungover arises as a result of the combination of alcohol poisoning, imbalanced blood sugar levels, dehydration and tiredness," Alice explains.

"When we get a hangover, we can experience nausea and diarrhoea.

"Headaches are also common, due to the involvement of histamine, a compound found in elevated levels in fermented drinks such as aged wines, beers, cider and champagne."

Is beer before wine actually fine?

Ever heard the age-old saying "beer before wine and you'll feel fine, wine before and you'll feel queer?" Turns out, there's little truth in it.

A 2019 study by German scientists gave students alcoholic drinks in three different orders. The participants were then asked to judge how drunk they were at the end of each day.

They concluded that changing the order of drinks made no significant difference to hangover scores.

Bad luck for those who have stayed true to the "beer before wine" ritual.

What to have for breakfast on a hangover

Eat a hearty and healthy breakfast, says Alice.

"When you have a hangover, your body is crying out for goodness and ironically, most people tend to go for greasy fry-ups," she says.

"Protein and healthy fats will deliver sustained energy to prevent the ups and downs of a hangover.

"You also want foods that deliver nutrients to support detoxification and brain function, whilst replenishing salts and electrolytes in your body.

"A good option would be eggs and avocado on brown toast. Protein and B-vitamin rich eggs support detox as they contain cysteine – an amino acid that breaks down acetyl-aldehyde, a toxic by-product produced when alcohol is broken down in the body."

Can caffeine cure a hangover?

When you're tired, as well as hungover, coffee can seem like a saviour, but how effective is it at easing your symptoms?

"Caffeine can support your energy and mental agility," says Alice.

"But be careful not to overdo it with the caffeine as this can contribute to energy fluctuations and make you feel wired.

"Instead, try drinking good quality green tea, white tea or jasmine. These contain caffeine alongside a burst of antioxidants and brain-boosting compounds such as EGCG, which are famed for their health-giving properties. They can also help to get your brain power back on track and can support memory function, which is great until you start getting flashbacks of the night before!"

How to rehydrate on a hangover

"Drinking water is essential when you have a hangover, although don’t be tempted to neck gallons of it in one go.

"Instead, sip consistently over the course of the day. Herbal teas, juices and smoothies also count.

"If you've vomited then no-added sugar coconut water is a great solution for fast hydration."

The lowdown on painkillers

Are painkillers actually effective in kicking hangovers to the curb? We asked pharmacist Dr Claudia Gravaghi.

"Aspirin works as a general pain reliever but ibuprofen seems to work better for migraine symptoms," says Dr Gravaghi.

"Since they are both broken down in the kidney, they have less impact on the liver."

She added: "Paracetamol helps lower the body temperature and fever but has less impact on inflammation, making it less effective for a hangover."

Is it possible to sweat out a hangover?

We've all been tempted to lay in bed and do very little when we're feeling rubbish, but is rest just what the doctor ordered?

"There's no doubt that a good night's sleep can make a world of difference if you already feel tired," says Alice.

"Although working out might seem like the last thing you want to do when you're hungover, it can help clear the body of unwanted compounds that may ease hangover symptoms.

"Even going for a five-minute brisk walk will help stimulate the lymphatic system to reduce sluggishness.

"Oxygenating the body with fresh air is an added bonus, helping to blow out the cobwebs and relieve nausea."

How to prevent future hangovers

• Stay hydrated by drinking water in between alcoholic drinks

• Don't mix spirits!

• Avoid sugar-filled mixers and flavoured syrups in your drinks

• Don't drink on an empty stomach

• Eat antihistamine foods as part of your daily diet, for example, ginger, turmeric, thyme, coriander, kiwis, apples, broccoli, kale and fresh pineapple

• Watch out for high histamine foods whilst drinking alcohol, such as aged cheeses, pickles, olives, smoked meats/fish, spinach and tomatoes.

Can smoothies ease a hangover?

"Smoothies can be a brilliant way to get a lot of goodness into the body and are really easy to digest as well as being rich in fibre.

"Choose fruits lower in sugar such as berries and blend with vegetables such as avocado, kale, spinach and cucumber as well as adding protein from almond butter or seeds.

"Also consider adding ginger to help ease nausea."

Which supplements help with hangovers?

"Alcohol is an anti-nutrient, meaning it uses up more of the body’s vitamins and minerals leaving you feeling drained with poor immunity, headaches and potentially even bad skin – not ideal when you’re trying to look your best for party season!

"Consider adding a supplement to your regime to keep you looking and feeling your best.

"The key is to find a top quality brand that sells products developed by nutritionists using ingredients that are safe and well-researched.

"I formulated Equi London’s products which all contain top quality nutrients as well as probiotics, which can also become depleted after drinking alcohol."

Alice Mackintosh is a registered nutritional therapist. You can find out more about her work on her website and her Instagram.