Experts reveal the hangover cures that really work... and the ones that DON'T trends now
Waking up the day after a night out with your head pounding and the greasy drunk food you ate last night swirling around your stomach - we've all been there.
Hangovers can feel like the worst thing in the world and keep you bed-ridden for the whole day, pledging you will never drink again.
People will go to strange lengths to feel okay again and there are a number of popular 'cures' that social media users swear by - but do they actually work?
MailOnline spoke to Dr Ross Perry GP, Medical Director of Cosmedic and Dr Olaleken Otulana, a Substance Misuse and Addiction Physician, to find out which 'cures' will actually make you feel better - and debunked those that won't
Read on for everything you need to know about the weirdest home remedies.
Hangovers can feel like the worst thing in the world and keep you bed-ridden for the whole day, pledging you will never drink again (stock image)
Dr Otulana advises that contrary to what social media says, drinking pickle juice is not going to help you feel much better.
He explained that it contains electrolytes, most notably its high volumes of sodium and potassium and 'where these may have been lost due to dehydration, consuming pickle juice in theory should work to replenish one's electrolyte levels.'
'However, in reality consuming pickle juice has very little effect on electrolyte levels and - although it might help with the retention of water to aid dehydration, you’re better off just drinking water.
'Consuming too much sodium-packed pickle juice can have an adverse effect on health and might increase fluid retention causing swelling and bloating.
'Decreasing one’s sodium intake is also recommended to those looking to lower their blood pressure.
'The acetic acid in pickle juice may worsen certain digestive issues, including gas, bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhoea.
'If you decide to try drinking pickle juice to treat a hangover, stick to a small amount of around 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 mL) and discontinue use if you experience any adverse effects.'
Dr Otulana advises that contrary to what social media says, drinking pickle juice is not going to help you feel much better
Both experts reveal that it's true ginger will help those who feel nauseous with a hangover as it's a 'great anti sickness remedy'.
However, Dr. Ross Perry says 'it’s not going to get rid of all symptoms associated with a hangover as only time and rest will do that.
Dr Otulana agrees, explaining that 'the anti-oxidant compounds that naturally occur in ginger may modulate the oxidative stress caused by alcohol.
'In a clinical effectiveness evaluation study, hangover symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea were alleviated after the subjects were given prophylactic doses of ginger
'If you suffer from nausea during hangovers, ginger may help relieve symptoms. While ginger does have benefits, the direct connection between ginger consumption and reduced hangover severity needs more research.'
Both experts reveal that it's true ginger will help those who feel nauseous with a hangover as it's a 'great anti sickness remedy'
Although some people online swear by it, professionals advise that eating raw egg is definitely a myth.
Dr Ross Perry said 'I would never encourage anyone to eat a raw egg as not only could you end up with a hangover but salmonella too.
'There is some thought that due to the cysteine amino acid, this can play a tole in alcohol metabolism, however, there are no real studies to back this up and it might just make you feel more nauseous.'
Dr Otulana added 'Although raw egg is high in a few B vitamins that are important in alcohol metabolism, these are not of high enough concentration to have any notable difference on a hangover - mostly composed of dehydration, poor sleep quality and inflammation.
'Eggs may give your body some easily absorbed nutrients that can help one combat their hangover, but that is as far as these benefits go.'
Although some people online swear by it, professionals advise that eating raw egg is definitely a myth
Although getting a caffiene hit might be tempting, especially if you have work the next day, the experts say drinking coffee could actually make you feel worse.
Dr Perry explained 'If you’re a hardcore coffee drinker, the boost of caffeine may make you feel slightly better, but for all the wrong reasons.
'However, if your tummy is already sensitive to the alcohol, having coffee will just make you feel more delicate.'
Although getting a caffiene hit might be tempting, especially if you have work the next day, the experts say drinking coffee could actually make you feel worse
Videos have been popping up across social media of people dunking their heads in bowls of ice water, in an attempt to make a hangover more bearable.
Surprisingly, health experts have said this one is true and can help relieve some symptoms.
Dr Perry explained 'This can actually help due to the cold receptors in the skin which can trigger the trigeminal nerve - this is the cranial nerve that supplies the skin of the face.
'Nerve impulses are then transmitted to the brainstem which activates the involuntary nerve pathway, slows down the heart rate and diverts blood back to the brain and heart- so in a nutshell this can definitely help relieve a hangover.'
Dr Otulana explained that this
