The older you get, the more the lure of a good night out dampens in the knowledge of the hangover that will inevitably follow the morning after.
No matter how long you sternly stare in the mirror before heading out, giving yourself the same old pep talk - “Take it easy! Soft drinks for every other round! You’re too old for the night bus!” - you know how it goes. You’re with your favourite people, the going is good, and it can be easy to get carried away - no matter your age.
Whether it's planned or not, a big night on the lash usually ends in a serious backlash, specifically from your protesting liver. If only there was a magic pill to let you drink with zero consequences. Well...
No, sorry to disappoint but there are no magic beans to completely bypass a hangover. Aside from abstaining from alcohol completely, you will put some level of strain on your system if you overdo it.
How to get over a hangover
Years of deep field research have taught this writer that there are a few steps that can help soothe the rage and wrath of a hangover:
- Glug a pint of water when you get in and keep a filled bottle by the bed to help your body rehydrate.
- Stiff and achy? Crawling to a hot shower may seem as laughable as the thought of hiking to the Himalayas in your sorry state, but standing under hot water will ease tired muscles and get blood circulating. Once you’re feeling a bit more human, finish with a burst of cold water - if you dare - to blast away the cobwebs.
- Eat! Ideally something with chilli to shock The Fear from your system. Olives are good too; nibble between small sips of the salty brine. A hot broth like Tom Yum or Pho also works wonders. TL;DR? This is no time for a salad.
- Self-care = essential. Add eye drops to sore and bloodshot eyes and swipe on lip balm to send dryness packing. We’ve found that Laneige is very hydrating, but Vaseline will work just as well too.
- A walk outside, however short, will help clear your head and will make you feel marginally less guilty than being slumped in front of Netflix all day.
Tablets can also go some way to helping banish a hangover's spinning vortex. There are plenty on the market designed to help return you to fighting fit, although, obviously they won’t help a weekend-long bender. These remedies are designed for the moderate drinker who occasionally overdoes it. Our options below are not a get-out-of-jail-free card.
If you think you might have a more serious issue with alcohol, it’s best to contact your healthcare professional to discuss it further. No matter the time of year, you should always drink responsibly, but for those odd times when you don’t, we’ve rounded up the best hangover tablets to try now.
Bottoms up!
Myrkl
They say prevention is better than cure, and preaching that message is the folks behind Myrkl.
Instead of looking to soothe the thumping headache, dry mouth and general feeling of foreboding, this is a remedy to take before your sesh. Take two pills containing patented ingredient AB001 and vitamin B12 from anywhere between 12 - 2 hours before your first drink and the claim is that you’ll rise feeling refreshed the next day. It works by rapidly breaking down alcohol in the gut when taken as advised.
Myrkl is the result of three decades of research, but it’s still wise to take this with a pinch of salt: there is a limit to how well it will work and few remedies will absolve a night on endless drinks chased with tequila shots.
Want to road-test it first? Find a single-dose sachet at Superdrug.
Buy now £25.45, Amazon
Berocca Energy Orange & Mango 90 Day Bundle
For big house parties as well as major occasions like Christmas and New Year's Eve, it feels wise to get a bulk order in.
Berocca has long been a staple of the morning-after routine, infusing the body with depleted electrolytes, vitamins and minerals. Antioxidising vitamin C, also a star ingredient, battles harmful free radicals that may be present thanks to boozing. As for the flavours? They're pretty tasty too.
Buy now £16.00, Boots
Rebound, Liver Detox Supplement
Filled to the hilt with hangover-busting essentials - B Vitamins, B1, B2, B6, B12 - Rebound promises to do exactly what it says on the, er, pouch. The 40 vegan capsules also include NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) which converts into L-Cysteine in the body, a helpful soldier in detoxifying nasty chemicals floating around your system. There's also rosemary leaf to give your liver a helping hand.
Most convincing review?: "The "Hangover Rebound" liver detox supplement has proven to be a true lifesaver for me on numerous occasions. As someone who occasionally enjoys a night out with friends, this product has become an essential part of my post-party recovery routine... I've found that taking this supplement after a night out significantly reduces the severity of a hangover, helping me bounce back quicker. It also helps me feel more energized and clear-headed the next day, which is a welcome relief."
Recommended use states that you should take two capsules before your party and another two before bed. Pair with Hangcure Rehydrate Hydration Powder Electrolyte Drink to help replenish lost minerals, electrolytes and vitamins.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Holland & Barrett Milk Thistle 100mg 30 Capsules
According to nutritionist Lily Soutter, “Studies have shown that the active components of milk thistle may help to ease liver inflammation and promote cell repair.” This explains why the herbal remedy is used to boost liver health and help it recover from toxins such as alcohol. Take one a day with your main meal.
Buy now £10.99, Holland & Barrett
HUM Nutrition Wing Man Liver Detox Supplement
Feel good from the inside out by treating your body to the wonders of this supplement from HUM Nutrition. They are designed to support your body’s natural liver function.
The clinically proven ingredients - the antioxidant milk thistle, digestion-boosting dandelion root and artichoke leaf - flush out toxins and even diminish the appearance of dark circles.
Buy now £27.25, Sephora
Himalaya PartySmart
Party smarter, not harder. At least, that's the aim of Himalaya's capsules, which are packed with antioxidants to help you feel better when you rise. The food supplement is made with herbal extracts including milk thistle. Slip one into your pocket and take it when the night gets lively for best results.
Buy now £1.99, Amazon
Nutrition Geeks Magnesium Glycinate 3-in-1 Complex
It's not sold as an official hangover cure, but magnesium is said to help many of the symptoms associated with hangovers: poor sleep, achy muscles, low energy and general fatigue. It also helps with mineral absorption, so perfect for pairing with rehydration tablets or drinks. The packet contains 90 vegan tablets; take one or two (depending on how hard you're hanging) with water or a cold drink when you get up.
Buy now £8.98, Amazon
