Here’s how to beat the New Year’s hangover

It’s the season to let loose and indulge in that extra shot of tequila or gulp down a couple of more celebratory drinks. That’s right. New Year’s Eve is fun and all, but it’s the day after that we’re here to address. It’s also a day unofficially dedicated to recognising that much of the world will wake up with nasty hangovers after an overdose of alcohol. But who wants to spend the first day of 2018 lousy in bed? So, here are a few quick tips to help you get through the dreaded hangover with a smile on your face.

Alcohol is extremely dehydrating. Water is thus, the world’s best hangover cure. Alcohol messes up with the way the kidneys function and the body ends up losing around four times more water than usual. So, drink as much water as you can.

A starchy and wholesome breakfast with toast is highly recommended. So are mellow foods like bananas, apples and rice. Tomatoes can refresh and revitalise you. Slice them up and add a little salt and pepper, or juice them.

Scramble them, fry them, soft boil them — eggs are a perfect hangover cure. The high level of cysteine, an amino acid in eggs, helps breakdown acetaldehyde, the root cause of hangovers. Essential minerals in eggs also help the body get rid of toxins that build up with binge drinking.

Coconuts are packed with potassium — something your hangover-riddled body definitely needs. Alternatively, drink coconut water if you don’t feel like finding a coconut to split open with a rock.

While chocolate isn’t a textbook cure for a hangover, the sugar in a piece of chocolate may help relieve symptoms of low blood sugar, experienced after a bout of drinking.

If the thought of chewing is a little too much for you in your weary state, then a warm bowl of soup could be the perfect hangover cure. Heat up some low-sodium broth, add whatever veggies you have on hand (and some noodles if you’re feeling adventurous), and cook until they’re soft. The broth will rehydrate you, while the veggies will replenish the nutrients you lost the night before.