5 Ways to Prevent or Ease a Hangover

We've all been through it: intense nights out on the town where we've downed beer after beer in a fit of fanaticism. No amount of potential Head-On over-the-counter medications or Pedialyte in our forecasts could stop us from having a merry old time. And we all know the result: a nauseous morning topped by vomiting and headaches. Throughout the years, there have been many formulations presented on how to beat hangovers, from magic pills to magic liquid blends that promise the better tomorrow. Science has stated there is no actual cure, but rather plenty of preventions.

1) Eat plenty of food before you drink! Although many people have the misconception that food will be vomited with the alcohol, it is not the easy. Food will absorb the alcohol and eliminate the possibility of a hangover especially when you've only had one drink. In addition, drinking one glass of juice for every glass of alcohol has been proven to cut the risk of hangover. Keep in mind that darker alcohols like red wine and bourbon cause more hangovers than light alcohols like vodka and light gin because of its congener content.

2) Sleep, sleep, and sleep some more! Ideally, you should drink a glass of juice and turn off the lights in your room. Throw a cold damp washcloth on your forehead and count your sheep. If you wake up too early, down 1 or 2 ibuprofen pills and head back to sleep again. Many people say that sleeping is its only cure, although that is cause for debate. However, drinking enough juice helps to cure dehydration which is a major reason why people end up feeling sick.

3) Don't touch coffee! Coffee is a natural diuretic, which means it only promotes dehydration. You need to stay hydrated with water and orange juice.

4) Pump up on the Pedialyte! Pedialyte is a drink sold at most pharmacies. They work to help replenish your electrolyte levels, which can be lost due to excessive urinating and vomiting. In addition, popular sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade also help to replenish nutrients and hydration to your soul.

5) Pay attention to when you consume hangover helpers. Before hitting the pillows, make sure you drink at least a pint of water and fruit juice. Vitamin C has been proven to help boost metabolism and breaks down alcohol faster. Load up on a little sugar with some toast as well.

There are many cures for hangovers, but few have been proven. The tips above for preventing and relieving hangovers have been time-tested and will work wonders when done right.