Is there anything worse than waking up after a wild night out with a pounding headache and an unquenchable thirst?
A hangover is the ultimate price to pay after taking one too many shots, and, regrettably, there is not much that you can do to avoid it.
But, what if there really was a hangover cure, one that actually worked? What if there was something that really could eliminate those horrific symptoms?
In this article, we will take a look at one of the greatest cures for a hangover; specifically, the best juice to drink while you’re hungover.
So, let’s get into it.
What Is A Hangover?
Before examining hangover remedies and the juices that work best to cure them, let’s first define what a hangover is and the impact it has on the body.
The term ‘hangover’ refers to a collection of debilitating symptoms that can appear after consuming too much alcohol.
Generally speaking, the more a person drinks, the more severe the hangover will be when the alcohol wears off.
It is very difficult to determine the exact amount of alcohol that will cause a hangover in each individual because everyone will have a different tolerance to alcohol.
If your tolerance is higher, it will take a lot more alcohol to give you a nasty hangover, but people with lower tolerances might only need a few drinks to experience the symptoms.
A hangover is, essentially, the result of dehydration.
When you drink alcohol, you will urinate more frequently, and since you may not be consuming much water (unless you are mixing your spirits with water/mixers), you will ultimately lose more water than you gain.
Due to this, once the alcohol begins to wear off, you will likely experience the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Mood disturbances
- Increased sensitivity (sound, light, etc.)
- Dry mouth/extreme thirst
Additionally, you may experience tremors and shakiness following a drinking binge.
This is frequently the result of alcohol withdrawal; after consuming so much alcohol, your body will fight hard to get rid of it but will also find it difficult to operate without it for a period of time.
What Cures A Hangover?
As you might have inferred from reading the last section, drinking plenty of water is the most important ‘cure’ for hangovers.
Some claim that sipping a glass of water now and then when they consume alcohol will make their hangovers less severe the next day.
This is entirely true. Drinking water alongside alcohol will decrease your likelihood of having a severe hangover, and drinking water whilst hungover allows your body to rehydrate.
Eating food can also ‘cure’ a hangover, as it provides your body with enough substance to build your immune system back up after, essentially, being poisoned.
Eating food while drinking alcohol will also help soak it up, at the time, which is why it is so dangerous to drink on an empty stomach.
Ultimately, the best cure for a hangover is to simply ride it out.
The groggy symptoms will pass eventually, but, unfortunately, you will have to suffer for a little while as the alcohol leaves your system.
Your best bet is to keep yourself hydrated during that time and eat some food to re-line your stomach.
The Best Juice For Hangovers (And Why)
As we mentioned earlier, one of the symptoms of being hungover is having a dry mouth, and experiencing extreme thirst.
This is, of course, because you are so dehydrated! Fruit juices are frequently cited as the best hangover remedy, as a result.
Fruit juices – and/or veggie juices, if you prefer – are great for hangover relief, since they rehydrate your body whilst pumping you with some well-needed vitamins and minerals.
The best drink for a hangover is actually water, as all you really need is something to hydrate your body.
However, juices will also do the job, and they will work a lot better at removing the nasty flavors of your chosen alcoholic beverage, or shots, from your mouth. In other words, the juice tastes a lot better than flavorless water.
So, which juice is the best for a hangover?
Tomato Juice
You may have heard of some people claiming that the best hangover cure is a Bloody Mary. This renowned cocktail is made up of lemon juice, Tabasco, black pepper, vodka, celery, and, of course, tomato juice.
The famous term, ‘the hair of the dog’, is one used by those who claim that drinking alcohol during a hangover can lessen the effects.
However, this isn’t always the best idea, and studies show that it may not be the vodka in a Bloody Mary that cures the hangover. Instead, it is the tomato juice that works its magic.
With large sources of potassium and vitamin C, tomato juice is a fantastic beverage that’ll keep you hydrated whilst pumping you with some well-needed nutrients.
Additionally, the high concentration of acid in this juice is great at flushing out toxins from the alcohol.
Alternatively, pickle juice and ginger juice are also considered ‘hangover cures’, but when it comes down to it, tomato juice is our top pick.
It is important to remember, however, that tomato juice is not a miracle drink.
It will not eliminate your symptoms immediately, but it will help to soothe them over time, as your body becomes healthier and more hydrated.
Final Thoughts
While everyone has their own methods of curing a hangover, we believe in the power of tomato juice.
We don’t recommend adding vodka, but a Virgin Mary may be the beverage that saves you during a lazy day after a wild night out.
Ultimately, the best cure is to drink water and plenty of it. The key is to keep hydrated and to stay rested until your body has completely recovered.
We hope you found this article helpful.
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