Why experts say hair of the dog can't cure a hangover

There is no scientific evidence that having another drink will cure a hangover. Photo / Getty Images.

Many people swear that 'hair of the dog that bit you' - that is having an alcoholic drink after a night of drinking - is the best hangover cure.

But unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that having another tipple will stop you feeling rough after a bout of heavy drinking, according to experts, reports the Daily Mail.

While it may temporarily make you feel a bit better, it merely postpones the symptoms until later in the day.

Dr Emeka Okorocha has revealed he urges people not to believe the myth, and to take time to allow the body to recover.

"When people ask me whether continuing to drink will help their hangover, I beg them not to do it," he said.

"You should take at least 48 hours for your body to rest before taking alcohol again."

What causes a hangover?

The symptoms - usually some combination of headache, thirst, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and general grumpiness - reach their peak when your blood-alcohol goes back to zero.

In the liver, alcohol is broken down into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde. An enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, further metabolises it into acetic acid.

If the amount of alcohol you consume outpaces the ability of your enzymes to process it, acetaldehyde builds up in your body, leading to headaches and nausea.

The symptoms - usually some combination of headache, thirst, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and general grumpiness - reach their peak when the blood-alcohol level hits zero.

You may feel a fleeting boost from putting alcohol back in your system but really is is just tricking you by masking the symptoms - which will show up eventually.

Dr Okorocha, 24, revealed to the BBC the 'cures' he has personally road-tested during his time as a medical student in University of East Anglia's student bars.

Related articles

1. A bloody Mary - but a virgin one

Ingredients

1/2 glass of tomato juice
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 dash of Worcestershire sauce
1 dash of hot pepper sauce
1 celery stick

Why it works: Tomatoes contain fructose, which is a sugar that can help your body metabolise alcohol faster to get it out of your system, explained Dr Okorocha.

"It also contains vitamins and minerals, which help fight inflammation and rehydrate your body and brain," he said.

2. A banana and honey sandwich

Ingredients

1 mashed banana
1 tbsp honey
2 slices of wholemeal bread

Why it works: Alcohol increases urination, which increases potassium excretion and causes dehydration. Bananas provide a boost of this electrolyte.

The honey will give you that spike of sugar in your bloodstream and an energy kick to help you get on with your day.

The fructose can also help the body metabolize and burn off any alcohol still in your system.

3. Ginger tea

Ingredients

12 large ginger slices
4 cups of boiling water
Dash of lemon
1/2 cup of honey
Fresh orange juice

Why it works: Ginger, used medicinally for thousands of years, is known for its ability to soothe stomach upsets.

Studies show it may help pain, by blocking the formation of the inflammatory compounds prostaglandins and leukotriene, so it could even help ease a throbbing head.

If you sweeten it with honey, the fructose can help get rid of lingering alcohol.

4. Glass of water before bed

Ingredients

1 glass of water

Why it works: Dr Okorocha advises that before you go out, you leave out two paracetamol and some water.

The underlying cause of a hangover is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that a boozy session is flushing water from your system. Getting a pint down you before you hit the sheets will give you a head start of hydrating the next morning.

Constantly replenishing your fluid levels throughout the night is even better. A rule of thumb, for every tipple you have, drink a glass of water.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r8bHnqmapJRjsLB6zbNmpaGWmsC1xcueZrCgqWKyubzEq6usZaOWxm60wKKpZqeWYsGpsYydpqBlk5a7tXnCrqmeZZFitaK6xqitnqpfiKKTmq2ReYxqeI%2BjjZ%2BmhIqEg3aKlYWBkX5m