The truth about hangover cures

Myths about hangovers are as varied and as fanciful as the cocktails that cause them. From eating pasta at bedtime to 'the hair of the dog,' the list of supposed hangover cures deserves a closer look. Learn what works – and what hurts – as we sort through 12 common hangover myths.

MYTH: Hangovers are nothing to worry about

FACT: A hangover is the body's reaction to being poisoned with too much alcohol. Heavy drinking plays havoc with the central nervous system. It interferes with brain chemicals - leading to headache, dizziness and nausea - and sends you running to the toilet so often you become dehydrated. The morning-after price of this imbalance can include a pounding headache, fatigue, dry mouth and queasy stomach – not to mention a weakened immune system.

MYTH: Hangovers are unisex

FACT: Use caution when enjoying free drinks on Ladies' Night. Given the same drinks, women are more likely to be affected by alcohol than men. Scientists say there's good reason for this. Women have a higher percentage of fat, which can’t absorb alcohol. When women drink the same amount, more alcohol builds up in the bloodstream.

MYTH: Only binge drinkers get hangovers

FACT: While it's true that binge drinking could bring on a hangover quicker, you don't have to get drunk to pay a price the next morning. Depending on your body composition, just a couple of drinks can trigger a headache and other hangover symptoms. Having water or a nonalcoholic drink between each beer, glass of wine or spirits can help keep you hydrated and reduce the overall amount of alcohol you consume.

MYTH: Wine is the gentlest choice

FACT: Red wine contains tannins, compounds that are known to trigger headaches in some people. Spirits, like whisky made with malt, also tend to produce more severe hangovers. If you're worried about how you'll feel in the morning, the gentlest choices are beer and clear spirits, such as vodka and gin.

MYTH: Diet cocktails are a safe bet

FACT: Diet drinks may help if you're counting calories, but may not if you're trying to avoid a hangover. Many people find that consumption of fruits, fruit juices or other sugar-containing liquids can help overcome hangover symptoms.

MYTH: Spirits before beer, never fear

FACT:  It's the amount of alcohol you consume – not the order of your drinks – that matters. That said, the order of your drinks might affect how much you consume. If you have a cosmopolitan cocktail and then switch to beer for the rest of the night, you slow down your intake of alcohol. If you switch from beer to shots, you accelerate your path to drunkenness.

MYTH: Eating pasta before bedtime prevents a hangover

FACT: This one is wrong on two counts. First, eating at bedtime (after you're already drunk) is no help in actually preventing a hangover. To achieve this food has to be in your stomach before Happy Hour to have any impact. Second, while any food can slow the body's absorption of alcohol there's some evidence to suggest that eating fatty food prior to drinking alcohol slows the absorption of alcohol to the body better. But remember, the best prevention tip for hangover and your waistline is to drink in moderation. One bedtime tip that does help – drink water to fight dehydration.

MYTH: Take painkillers before bed

FACT: Over-the-counter painkillers peak in about four hours, so the effect of a bedtime dose will be gone by the morning. It is better to take the tablets when you first wake up – if you need them.

MYTH: Alcohol helps you sleep well

FACT: Alcohol disrupts sleep. While a nightcap may help you doze off more quickly, it undermines the quality of your sleep. You don't spend as much time in all-important REM (rapid eye movement) cycles, and you tend to wake up too soon. If you've been drinking heavily, a hangover might strike in the last part of the night, leaving you too uncomfortable to get back to sleep.

MYTH: The hair of the dog

FACT: More alcohol in the morning does nothing but postpone a hangover. The worst symptoms hit when blood-alcohol levels drop to zero. If you have a cocktail at breakfast, this unpleasant moment will just come later in the day. And if you find you can't function without a wake-up drink, you should discuss the possibility of addiction with your GP.

MYTH: Coffee is the cure

FACT: Coffee may lead to more dehydration and could make your hangover worse. After a night of drunkenness, it's best to avoid anything with caffeine. Instead, sip water and sports drinks to counter dehydration and replace lost electrolytes. This is especially important if you've experienced any vomiting.

MYTH: Herbal remedies can help

FACT: UK researchers reviewed the available studies on hangover pills, such as yeast and artichoke extract. They concluded that there is no compelling evidence of any effective treatment. The only proven cure is time.

NO MYTH: Alcohol poisoning

FACT: Alcohol poisoning is a potentially deadly medical emergency. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:

 ●Confusion, stupor

●Vomiting

●Seizures

●Slow, irregular breathing

●Low body temperature, bluish skin

●Bluish skin

It's easy to dismiss these symptoms as the price of partying hard, but if you see someone vomit multiple times or pass out after drinking heavily, there's a risk of severe dehydration or unconsciousness. A visit to the nearest accident and emergency department is urgently needed.

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