Everyone has their own tried-and-true method of curing a hangover, from drinking pickle juice to eating greasy food.

But how much of what we believe about hangovers is actually true? In this article, we’ll debunk 4 popular hangover myths and reveal the truths you need to know.

Myth #1: Drinking water will cure a hangover

While it’s true that drinking water can help alleviate some of the symptoms of a hangover, it won’t cure it completely.

Dehydration is only one of the many factors that contribute to a hangover, so drinking water alone won’t be enough to make you feel better.

The truth is, the only surefire cure for a hangover is time. Your body needs time to metabolize the alcohol in your system and recover from the damage it’s done.

Drinking water, getting rest, and taking pain relievers can help make you more comfortable in the meantime, but they won’t cure your hangover.

Myth #2: The color of your alcohol determines how bad your hangover will be

Many people believe that clear alcohol like vodka and gin is less likely to give you a hangover than darker alcohols like whiskey and red wine. However, the color of the alcohol has nothing to do with how severe your hangover will be.

What really matters is the amount of congeners in the alcohol. Congeners are impurities that are produced during the fermentation and distillation process, and they can contribute to hangover symptoms like headache and nausea.

Darker alcohols tend to have more congeners than clear ones, but this isn’t always true. For example, some high-end vodkas can have more congeners than certain types of whiskey.

Myth #3: Eating greasy food will cure a hangover

While it’s true that eating a substantial meal before you start drinking can help slow down the absorption of alcohol and prevent a hangover, eating greasy food after the fact won’t do much good. In fact, it might even make you feel worse.

Fatty, greasy foods are difficult for your body to digest, especially when you’re already feeling nauseous. This can exacerbate your hangover symptoms and make you feel even more uncomfortable.

Instead, it’s better to stick to simple, easy-to-digest foods like toast or crackers.

Myth #4: Hangovers only happen when you drink too much

Many people think that they can avoid a hangover by simply moderating their alcohol consumption.

While it’s true that drinking less can reduce the severity of your hangover, it’s not a guarantee that you won’t experience any symptoms at all.

The truth is, everyone’s body reacts differently to alcohol, so it’s impossible to predict how much you can drink without experiencing a hangover.

Factors like your weight, age, gender, and overall health can all play a role in how alcohol affects you.

In addition, certain types of alcohol can be more likely to give you a hangover than others, regardless of how much you drink.

And if you’re drinking on an empty stomach or not staying hydrated, you’re more likely to experience a hangover regardless of how much alcohol you consume.

Conclusion

Hangovers are an all-too-familiar experience for many people, but there are a lot of misconceptions out there about what causes them and how to cure them.

By debunking these 4 popular hangover myths, we hope to shed some light on the truth behind the condition and help you make smarter choices the next time you’re out drinking.