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Consuming alcohol has always been part of any given event and ocassion. But after a night of excessive drinking, many people find themselves battling the dreaded hangover. Hangovers tend to leave us feeling miserable from unpleasant physical effects, ranging from headaches to nausea, and even disturbed sleep.
While there’s no magic cure, there are ways to help reduce hangover symptoms. Certain hangover drinks and dishes can help alleviate hangover symptoms and speed up recovery. Let’s explore some of the best hangover drinks and dishes to help you bounce back after consuming alcohol.
Understanding Hangovers
Before we dive into the remedies, it’s essential to understand what causes a hangover. Excessive drinking leads to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and a drop in blood sugar levels.
As your body metabolizes all the alcohol, it produces toxins contributing to discomfort. Knowing this can help us choose the right foods and drinks to combat these effects.
Blood Alcohol Levels and Hangover Severity
Generally, higher peak blood alcohol levels correlate with more severe hangovers. This is why pacing yourself and drinking water between alcoholic beverages can help reduce hangover intensity.
As your blood alcohol levels return to zero, your body continues to deal with the aftereffects of alcohol consumption. This is why many hangover remedies focus on supporting your body’s natural recovery processes rather than directly addressing blood alcohol levels.
Hangover Drinks
1. Water
The most crucial drink for hangover recovery is plain water. Alcohol consumption leads to dehydration, so replenishing your fluids is vital.
2. Buko Juice (Coconut Water)
Coconut water is a great option for hangover recovery due to its high water content and electrolytes. It helps combat dehydration caused by alcohol consumption and aids in restoring your body’s balance.
The natural sugars in coconut water can also help stabilize blood sugar levels, which often fluctuate after a night of heavy drinking.
3. Ginger Tea with Calamansi
A hot cup of ginger tea with a squeeze of calamansi (Filipino lime) can work wonders for your hangover. Ginger helps alleviate nausea, a common hangover symptom, while calamansi provides a boost of Vitamin C. This combination can help your body break down all the alcohol more efficiently and reduce inflammation.
4. Taho (Soy Pudding with Syrup)
This popular street food is not just a delicious breakfast option but also a great hangover cure. The soft tofu is easy on the stomach and rich in protein. The sweet syrup provides a quick energy boost, helping to combat fatigue. The high water content in taho also aids in rehydration.
5. Ginger Ale
The ginger in this drink can help settle your stomach and reduce nausea, a common hangover symptom.
6. Tomato Juice
Packed with vitamins and minerals, tomato juice can help replenish nutrients lost during alcohol metabolism.
7. Orange Juice
High in Vitamin C, orange juice can help boost your immune system and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Hangover Dishes
1. Bulalo
This hearty beef bone marrow soup is rich in nutrients and can help replenish your body after a night of heavy drinking. The warm broth is soothing, and the fatty bone marrow can help coat your stomach, potentially easing some hangover symptoms.
The high collagen content may also help support liver health, aiding in alcohol metabolism.
2. Silog Variations
Besides tapsilog, other silog variations like tocilog (tocino with rice and egg) or longsilog (longganisa with rice and egg) are excellent hangover foods. These dishes provide a balance of carbs, protein, and fats that can help stabilize blood sugar levels and provide energy. The fried egg is rich in cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism.
3. Champorado with Tuyo
This chocolate rice porridge paired with dried salted fish might seem like an odd combination, but it’s a popular hangover cure in the Philippines. The champorado provides complex carbohydrates and a bit of caffeine from the chocolate, which can help alleviate headaches. The tuyo adds a salty kick that can help replenish electrolytes and stimulate thirst, encouraging you to drink more water.
4. Sinigang na Baboy (Tamarind Soup)
While not a drink per se, this sour soup is a favorite among Filipinos for hangover cure. The tangy broth, made with tamarind, can help settle your stomach and provide much-needed hydration. The high sodium content helps replenish electrolytes, while the sour taste can stimulate your appetite.
The pork in the soup offers protein to help stabilize your blood sugar levels and provide amino acids for recovery.
5. Arroz Caldo
Similar to chicken noodle soup, arroz caldo is a comforting rice porridge that’s easy on the stomach. It’s often flavored with ginger, which can help reduce nausea – a common hangover symptom.
The warm broth helps rehydrate your body, while the chicken provides protein to stabilize your blood sugar levels. The soft texture makes it easy to eat even when you’re not feeling your best.
6. Chicken Noodle Soup
This classic comfort food is excellent for hangover recovery. It’s easy to digest, provides hydration, and contains essential amino acids to help your body recover.
7. Banana-cue
Grilled bananas coated in caramelized sugar provide potassium and quick energy.
8. Ensaladang Talong
This eggplant salad is light on the stomach and rich in antioxidants.
9. Paksiw na Isda
Fish cooked in vinegar can help balance your body’s pH levels after alcohol consumption.
10. Honey and Calamansi Juice
A sweet and sour drink that provides quick energy and Vitamin C.
11. Pickles or Other Foods with Hot Sauce
The salt in pickles can help replenish electrolytes, while spicy foods can distract from hangover discomfort and boost endorphins.
Conclusion
Image from Freepik.
While these drinks and dishes can help alleviate hangover symptoms, it’s important to remember that the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink responsibly.
Moderation is key when it comes to alcohol consumption. If you do find yourself dealing with the aftermath of too much alcohol, try some of these remedies to help your body recover and get back to feeling your best.
Remember, if hangover symptoms persist or are severe, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional. Excessive drinking can have serious health consequences, so always prioritize your well-being and drink responsibly.
