Drinking Water After Drinking Alcohol Won't Stop The Hangover, Expert Warns

We've all heard some hangover tips and tricks over the years as we've tried to soothe our thumping headaches - but it turns out, even the ones we swear by may not be so effective.

With this being the Christmas party season (in the safety of our homes, of course) many of us are drinking more booze than usual - and feeling the effects of it the next day.

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Now, Laurence Cardwell and Prof. Dr. Kubiena, co-founders of dietary supplement Survivor Life, are busting all hangover myths and so-called cures ahead of the usually an alcohol heavy Christmas, with the pair dismissing some of the tips we've come to rely on as old wives' tales.

We're often told to keep chugging pints of water during a heavy night - which seems logical, as it's common knowledge that alcohol dehydrates the body.

However, continually chugging water alongside your usual cocktail (make mine a margarita) does not undo the damage alcohol does to your system.

Alcohol releases a by-product, acetaldehyde, which needs to be broken down into acetate before it can be removed from the body. Water is actually poorly absorbed when alcohol is in the body, meaning the water you consume will most likely be flushed out when you 'break the seal' or nip to the loo.

While it is important to keep drinking water while boozing to prevent dehydration, but it won't cure any hangovers. Sorry, folks.

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We may also have to forgo our usual cheesy chips after a big night out too, because that's not going to cure our hangovers either.

A greasy kebab at the end of the night of a full fry up the next day, eaten in the hope it'll lessen our hangover, can actually make them worse, according to science.

Foods that are spicy, salty or particularly acidic can worsen a hangover, as they can trigger dehydration and heartburn.

However, it's important to eat before a night drinking - as that does drastically slow the rate at which alcohol hits your bloodstream.

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Other tips, such as taking a painkiller before bed, spending more money on top tier booze and the infamous "hair of the dog" have also been myth-busted.

Painkillers can overload an already overly busy liver and can lead to stomach ulcers, kidney problems and drowsiness, while top tier booze can still be toxic to the body and drinking extra alcohol on top of your hangover only gives temporarily relief and overworks an already struggling liver.

Elsewhere, the phrase "liquor before beer to be in the clear" is completely untrue. In fact, switching from spirits to softer alcoholic drinks such as beer makes you all the more likely to vomit.

Exercising with a hangover is a total no-no, too: Alcohol dehydrates the body and, although the theory behind this myth suggests you sweat out the alcohol, this is in fact untrue - the positive sensation comes from endorphins released by the body.

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Running on a hangover can lead to severe dehydration as the level of electrolytes in the body are not at normal levels - a brisk walk is more beneficial for a thumping head.

Of course, the best thing to do is to just drink in moderation to avoid hangovers altogether - so be sure to be careful this Christmas.

Topics: Christmas, Life News, Life, Alcohol, Christmas, Life News, Tasty Drink, Life, Alcohol

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley