Too many glasses of bubbly at the office party? Here’s how health experts prevent and treat hangovers

Best hangover cure for reducing fatigue

Artah Cellular Hydration, £32, loved by clinical nutritionist and wellness coach Gudiya Dagur Patel

“My go-to hangover cure during the festive season is Artah’s Cellular Hydration,” says Gudiya Dagur Patel. “As a clinical nutritionist, I love that it’s not just another sugary rehydration drink. It is an easily dissolvable powder with a balanced mix of electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, calcium and it is combined with adaptogenic Peruvian maca and prebiotic fibre (inulin). It helps support energy, mood and the gut. It also includes vitamin C, which helps in reducing fatigue, and promotes collagen production to help your skin feel its best. When taken with water after a night of drinking, it helps restore cellular hydration, refuel your electrolyte stores, and give you a clean, steady recovery and no headaches.”

Best hangover cure for dehydration

Humantra electrolytes, £28, loved by aesthetic doctor Dr Jessica Halliley 

“As a medical aesthetic doctor, I always start by getting the basics right,” says the aesthetic doctor Dr Jessica Halliley. “A hangover is essentially dehydration plus depleted electrolytes, so topping up minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium helps your body rebalance, steady your energy levels and get everything functioning normally again. I tend to reach for something simple like Humantra electrolyte sachets or a Vidrate sachet in a big glass of water because they’re quick, balanced and easy on the stomach when you’re feeling fragile. And once I’m rehydrated, I’ll admit there’s usually a moment where a cheeky McDonald’s starts sounding suspiciously like medicine too!”

Best hangover cure for reducing blood alcohol concentration

Deliverance, from £23.99, loved by nutritionist Dr Federica Amati

“I’ve learned that the best way to avoid a hangover is to take this beforehand, drink alcohol only occasionally, in moderation with a meal and plenty of water,” says Dr Amati, who has worked alongside Prof Tim Spector on the Zoe nutrition project. “Deliverance is brilliant as it reduces peak blood alcohol concentration by an average of 50 per cent, which is really helpful for our bodies to be able to decrease the negative effects of alcohol. It has very high polyphenol (helpful plant chemical) concentrations, which we think are helping liver cells to function at their best by reducing oxidative stress.” And what’s the plan for the day after? “I don’t drink to excess anymore, to be honest, but if alcohol has affected my sleep, I make sure to eat lots of polyphenol-rich foods like colourful berries and dark green leafy veg, and rest to allow my body to repair.”

Best hangover cure for headaches

Sisterly The Elevator, loved by dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting

“I first reach for a Vitacoco coconut water in the morning, because it has a good balance of electrolytes, which helps with the dehydration that accompanies alcohol excess,” reveals the leading dermatologist, Dr Sam Bunting. “I’d also recommend Sisterly, a one-and-done multi-nutrient that helps replace B vitamins to reduce the brain fog and jitters that can accompany a hangover, whilst the antioxidants help calm inflammation. I’ll probably also wolf down a bacon sandwich if things are really dire, as the carbs and fat help stabilise a queasy stomach.”

Best hangover cure for boosting electrolyte levels

Lucozade Sport, £1.75, loved by Dr Zoe Watson, GP and founder of Wellgood Wellbeing

“As a first line of defence, I recommend spacer drinks — chasing every alcoholic drink with a soft one — to prevent the hangover in the first place. It does work really well,” says Dr Zoe Watson. Too late? Go for a Lucozade Sport the morning after for an old-school hangover cure. “It has all the same electrolytes as Dioralyte and doesn’t taste quite so disgusting. Electrolytes are the essential minerals that exist in our body, but when we drink alcohol, it suppresses the production of ADH (anti-diuretic hormone or Vasopressin). This leads to an increase in urine production, causing us to urinate more and lose more water from the body. When you lose excess water from the body, you lose electrolytes too.” Dr Zoe, a proud Glaswegian, also has a very personal, very niche hangover cure: “An ice cold can of Irn Bru, a Morton’s Crispy roll and square Lorne sausage — a perfect combination only obtainable in Glasgow. The saltiness of the sausage is perfect for replenishing lost electrolytes, while the sugar and caffeine from the Irn Bru will perk you right up!”

Best hangover cure to help your liver function

Metagenics Liver Support, £41.99, loved by nutritionist Daniel O’Shaughnessy 

Nutritionist Daniel O’Shaughnessy favours Metagenics Liver Support because it contains the herb milk thistle in combination with dandelion, both of which support liver function. It’s also found in CytoPlan CytoProtect Liver, £18.49, another of his top picks. But he strikes a note of caution: “If you’re needing to use a hangover formula frequently, then it’s probably a good idea to evaluate your relationship with alcohol.”

Best hangover cure to rehydrate

Dioralyte, £4.40, loved by nutritionist Emma Bardwell

Dioralyte is an oldie but a goodie, says nutritionist Emma Bardwell: “Take a sachet before bed and one the morning after. It rehydrates and replaces lost electrolytes, which is essentially what causes a hangover.”

Best hangover cure for reducing toxins

Solgar N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, £27.99, loved by Dr Johanna Ward, GP and cosmetic doctor

“Over the years I have created my own regime of anti-histamines, omeprazole [an over-the-counter or prescription medication for acid reflux], glutathione, vitamin C, milk thistle and NAC to prevent hangovers,” says Dr Johanna Ward, GP and cosmetic doctor, who takes her ‘bits and bobs’ a couple of hours before she has a drink and says she no longer gets post alcohol migraines as a result. “Omeprazole protects your tummy so you don’t get gastritis. Anti-histamines can help counteract histamine release from certain alcohols, such as wine and prosecco, while NAC helps to support your liver while it has the arduous task of breaking down the toxins. NAC is a drug given for overdoses in A&E to protect the liver. It can help to reduce oxidative damage and inflammation during the breakdown process.”

Best hangover cure to reduce inflammation

Altrient Liposomal Glutathione, £109.96, loved by Dr Sophie Shotter

“If I know I’m going to be drinking, I’ll take Altrient Liposomal Glutathione to prevent a hangover. It’s expensive and smells like farts, but it works,” reveals the aesthetic doctor and wellness expert Dr Sophie Shotter. “Glutathione, known as the body’s master antioxidant, is made up of amino acids glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid. It helps the liver eliminate the free radicals created by alcohol, thus reducing inflammation, which can cause, among other things, the dreaded hangover headaches. Because it’s poorly absorbed, it needs to be taken in liposomal form, such as this. Alternatively, it can be given via IV drip therapy.”

Best hangover cure for disturbed sleep

Ancient & Brave Revelry + Rest, £12, loved by the dermatologist Dr Angela Tewari

“During the festive season, late nights can disrupt your natural melatonin production, and with the effects of alcohol too, you’re unlikely to hit deep sleep and thus wake up feeling unrefreshed and tired,” warns the dermatologist Dr Angela Tewari. “My solution is the Ancient & Brave Revelry + Rest. With natural coconut potassium, chicory probiotic, and natural salts, it helps rebalance your electrolytes, both on the night itself and the night after, which can help with headaches, feelings of tiredness, and dehydration. Small doses of magnesium also help to boost the clearance of toxins from muscles to help revive your system!”

Best hangover cure for menopausal women

Myrkl Food Supplement, £30 for 15 capsules, loved by the consultant gynaecologist Dr Tania Adib

“As a menopausal woman, I now very rarely drink as I have found I really don’t metabolise alcohol well anymore; I sleep really badly and then feel terrible the next day,” shares the consultant gynaecologist Dr Tania Adib, explaining a situation many perimenopausal and menopausal women can probably relate to. Luckily, she also has a solution: “For the few occasions I would love to enjoy a drink without the repercussions, I take 2 capsules of Myrkl before a night out. It contains high-performing bacteria, vitamin B12 and L-cysteine, which takes the edge off any hangover and allows me to function normally the next day.”

Best hangover cure for taking in advance

Pippa Campbell Health Detox, £54.99, loved by nutritionist Pippa Campbell

Leading nutritionist Pippa Campbell has plenty of tips for helping soothe a bad hangover — and, in good news, her supplement brand has tailored solutions you can trust too. Before your first drink, she recommends “taking the Pippa Campbell Health Detox supplements to support phase one and two liver detoxification. Then, take them again in the evening and the next morning to keep detox pathways moving.” An extra tip is to pair this with the Gut Repair supplements (again, before and after drinking) “to support the gut lining and reduce irritation from alcohol” and “have a spoon of coconut yoghurt mixed with flax or chia before going out, as this helps slow gastric emptying, steady blood sugar, and takes pressure off the liver when alcohol arrives.”