Sorry But Hair Of The Dog Is A Myth

But if you were thinking getting back on the sauce could save you a day of misery, we're sorry to tell you that actually, hair of the dog is a myth.

The term comes from the idea that the cause of an illness can also be the cure, and is a shortening of the phrase 'hair of the dog that bit you’.

Many years ago, the expression referred to a method of treating a rabid dog bite with hair from the actual dog. Somehow, over the years, this was applied to drinking alcohol and suffering from a hangover.

Those who back the theory think that because a hangover occurs as a result of your body breaking down the alcohol to flush it out of your system, adding a little more would take away the uncomfortable symptoms such as a headache, nausea and tiredness.

But unfortunately, even if there was some merit to that theory, you'd simply be postponing the hangover until later. When your blood alcohol levels do come down, the hangover will still be there waiting.

"Drinking coffee, drinking more alcohol (hair of the dog) or eating deep-fried, salty foods also won't help cure your hangover. If you have been drinking heavily, it is important that you wait at least 48 hours before drinking again to give your body time to recover," they tell us.

"There are lots of hangover myths out there but perhaps the biggest is that drinking lots of water can prevent or cure a hangover. This isn't true as the rate at which your body clears the toxins produced by drinking alcohol — which is what causes your hangover — can't be changed.

"However, drinking water is still important to prevent or reduce the effects of dehydration caused by alcohol."

Instead they recommend replenishing your body with specific foods.

"You can usually replace any lost electrolytes easily through food — bananas are a good source of potassium, and avocados, nuts and sweet potatoes are a good source of magnesium," they suggest.

"Avoid foods that will be harder for your body to digest e.g. dairy products, refined sugar and fatty meat. Instead, eat fresh fruits, vegetables, soups and broths.

"If you have lost a lot of fluids and consequently electrolytes, e.g. you've been vomiting or have diarrhoea, you may want to try a low-sugar electrolyte drink."

Right, step away from the Bloody Mary guys!