After a night out drinking, you might wake up in the morning with a raging headache, a dry mouth and little to no motivation to get up and start your day. Most students don’t have the time to take a day off, let alone due to a hangover. Students at the University of Arizona shared their most handy hangover cures to help anyone have a safe and healthy time.
Milk thistle and omega-3s
Maddie La Mar is a senior studying sociology at the UA. La Mar swears by milk thistle, bananas and sushi.
“My hangover cure is to start with milk thistle before I even start,” La Mar said.
Milk thistle is an uncommon remedy, but its active ingredient is silymarin, an antioxidant that helps with liver and gallbladder issues. The liver breaks down a majority of the alcohol consumed by the body, according to WebMD. Milk thistle is a natural treatment with positive effects on the liver to prevent damage and aid in the removal of toxins.
Sushi contains omega-3 oils which have anti-inflammatory properties according to prevention.com. When our bodies metabolize alcohol it causes inflammation in the GI tract and joints, as described by alcoholrehabhelp.com. These healthy fats will decrease the inflammation, but in most cases omega-3 oils need consistent use to work efficiently.
Just another excuse to eat sushi every day.
Coconut water and electrolytes
Ally Rhea is a junior studying pharmaceutical sciences but prefers natural remedies to cure her Sunday scaries. After Rhea hits the bars, her favorite being The Hut, she uses coconut water before and after her night out.
“If you drink it during the day it will increase your tolerance, and if you drink it before bed you won’t have a headache,” Rhea said.
Most packaging on coconut waters says it is a hangover cure, Rhea explained. Alcohol is a diuretic which causes your body to remove fluids and electrolytes from your system more quickly than usual, according to healthline.com. Coconut water is hydrating and contains many natural electrolytes to replenish the body such as sodium, manganese and potassium.
RELATED: UA’s sustainability community is determined to grab students’ attention this Earth Week
La Mar’s banana in the morning after a busy night tip provides the same benefits. Bananas are high in potassium which is one of the electrolytes that is most depleted through alcohol consumption, according to an article in the National Library of Medicine. As electrolytes are imbalanced, the body is unable to return to baseline.
Pho and salty foods
Many students explain how they crave water and salt when they wake up in the morning. Elle Gordon is a recent UA alum who swears by Pho. She graduated with a B.S. in nutrition and learned a lot from her studies.
Pho is a Vietnamese soup dish consisting of a salty broth, noodles, herbs and meats. Gordan explains how the soup itself is hydrating and easy to eat since it is light. In union with other students’ hangover cures, the sodium in the soup as well as other nutrients will help refresh the body.
Sodium plays a large role in bodily functions, especially cell signaling. A severe lack of sodium in the body can cause fatigue, confusion and even seizures, according to the Mayo Clinic. Luckily, one night of drinking won’t cause hyponatremia – severe low blood sodium levels – but a bender without proper nourishment could lead to higher health risks.
Pho also contains carbohydrates, fats and protein which will make anyone feel better on an off day. Most importantly, always hydrate and drink plenty of water to allow the hangover remedies to efficiently work within your body.
As you prepare for a great night out, try one of these hangover cures to prevent an ill morning in. Don’t forget: the ultimate way to enjoy drinking is to drink in proportion and drink safely.
Follow Ellen Nangia on Twitter
