Hangover Cures that Really Work (and the Ones that Really Don't)

You know you shouldn't, but sometimes a girl just can't help herself. You plan to meet up with friends for a drink after work, and one drink turns into many more, which then turns into a rough next morning. We hope you don't have a hangover reading this, because we bring you some not-so-good news. "There are a lot of myths about hangover cures," says Ruth C. Engs, RN, EdD, a professor at Indiana University who has done extensive research on the effects of drinking. "Essentially there is no cure other than consuming water and liquids like juice (i.e., not spiked) in the morning." The reason? Hangover symptoms are a product of dehydration, hypoglycemia, and the poisonous side effects from toxins in our drinks (sounds great, right?). Water will not only help hydrate your muscles and organs, but will also aid in flushing out the toxins. Juices such as orange juice accomplish both while replenishing your body with missing sugars.

That said, if you swear by a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel or a five-mile run after a night out on the town, you're not alone. We got the scoop on which remedies seem to prove real, and which ones are just part of the rumor mill.

Related: Drink Up! The Health Benefits of Alcohol

Rumor Remedy: Sweating It Out with Exercise
"My go-to any time I have a hangover is a workout to sweat out the bad stuff followed by a ton of water," says Jennifer D., a 36-year-old lawyer in New York City. "I don't know how scientific it is, but I feel like going for a run helps process the alcohol left in my body when I wake up. It usually shakes my grogginess and makes me feel better faster."

Unfortunately, exercise on its own isn't an effective cure, according to Engs. In fact, if you exercise and aren't properly hydrating, your symptoms could actually worsen. What you might be feeling that is making you feel better is the endorphin rush that typically comes along with a workout. If you're looking to metabolize the alcohol through your body faster, sorry -- the gym is not the answer.

Related: 15 Racers to Run This Year (When You're Not Hungover)

Real Remedy: Sleeping It Off
If you're lucky enough to catch extra zzz's after a night of boozing, do it. "If I know I've gotten a little too tipsy the night before, I'll sleep it off the next morning and wake up later in the afternoon," says Kate R., 25, a physician assistant student in New York City. "By the time I get up, the worst part of my hangover has passed."

Kate is onto something -- alcohol is metabolized at the rate of .015 of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), or roughly one drink every hour, meaning those extra brews can quickly add up. And just like a broken heart, time can heal all and sleeping through your body metabolizing last night's happy hour will make you feel better. Just make sure to keep hydrated once your peepers finally open.

Related: 7 Shocking Stats About the Way You Sleep

Rumor Remedy: Hair of the Dog
No, Bloody Marys do not exist solely to cater to the morning-after crowd. If you think drinking more alcohol will fix all your problems, think again. "The body is going through withdrawal symptoms from overindulging, and drinking more just prevents more withdrawal symptoms," says Engs. That unlimited mimosa brunch isn't a fix, instead you're giving your body more toxins to deal with, delaying a future (and probably worse) hangover.

Related: Cocktails Under 200 Calories

Real Remedy: Drinking Electrolytes
The dreaded hangover headache: Experienced by many, friend of none. Why does it feel like there is a tiny elf inside your head pounding at your skull with a hammer? Because your brain is dehydrated.

Kim G., a 29-year-old business owner in New York City plan of Powerade is on the mark for a fast fix. While water does the trick to hydrate, sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade contain electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride) that help replenish and restore your system levels. The sugar in the drinks gives you carbohydrates for energy.
If you'd prefer to go the natural route, try sipping on coconut water, which is stacked with electrolytes. Bonus: It's low-calorie, nonfat, has less sugar than sports drinks and juices, and has been shown in some studies to be less irritating to your stomach.

Related: The Best Energy and Recovery Drinks to Power Up

Rumor Remedy: Eating Greasy Food
Nicole A., 28, a graphic designer in Colorado Springs, Colorado, swears by a plateful of huevos rancheros in the morning after drinking too much. Not only is it comfort food to the Southern California native, it also functions as a stomach soother. "Something greasy and filling always makes my stomach feel better, much more than eating a anything else would."

Sadly, those hash browns and eggs are much better eaten pre-happy hour. "Eating a high-protein dinner before drinking can help slow the absorption of ethanol into the circulatory system," says Engs. So while you think chips and salsa might sound like the perfect appetizer to accompany those pitchers of sangria you just ordered, you're better off choosing nuts, cheese, or lean meats instead.

Related: 7 Easy Recipes to Skip the Takeout

Toss-Up Remedy: Preventative Drinks and Pills

If you've seen the slew of hangover prevention products on the market, from supplements like Chaser and RU 21, to drinks like NOHO and Resurrection, you're probably curious of the end result. All of them boast a mix of vitamins, herbs, and/or chemicals, and claim that ingestion before drinking will radically reduce the chance of a having a hangover in the morning.

One such product is Mercy, a hangover prevention beverage that touts its heavy dose of vitamins and nutrients as the cause to curing your morning-after woes. According to Bianca Peyvan, 31, a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian, this is what makes the drink work. "Studies have shown that vitamin C, along with B vitamins can combine with certain amino acids and glucose and help your body generate glutathione (a powerful antioxidant and cellular tripeptide that helps the body rid itself of alcohol's toxins)." When you drink, your glutathione runs low, which is how the drink claims to help, by boosting production. Peyvan says she's tried the magic brew before and woke up headache-free after a night out.

But buyers beware -- there is little medial research on preventative hangover products and many sources say they often don't live up to the hype. Similar to OTC products, what works for some may not work for others. When thinking preventatively, you're better off pace yourself with fewer drinks. Engs advises no more than one per hour.

More from FITNESS Magazine:
Boost Your Backside in 4 Weeks
The Firm and Burn Workout
Fat-Fighting Diet Plan: 500-Calorie Dinners
Find Your Healthy Weight: BMI Calculator
Best Tips to Perk Up Your Immune System This Winter