6 Indian Hangover Food Cures From A Desi Kitchen To Start 2024 Better!

Did you wake up with a crazy hangover from the New Year’s weekend? Don’t worry we have some Indian hangover food cures to your rescue!

What a year 2023 was! Honestly, tell me, is there anyone who didn’t try to wash away the misery that 2023 was with a lot of booze? And now, everyone (especially the ones above 25) has probably woken up with a splitting headache and the familiar nausea of too much alcohol.

Not really how you’d want to start the first Monday of 2024, would you? Well, fret not, for we have for you, six tried and tested hangover cures that you will find in at your desi kitchen!

Anyone reading this knows what I am talking about and no one wants to experience it anymore! Well, let’s start off the first Monday of 2024 with a fresh, non-hungover mind, even if it is with a sad face of Mondays!

To start the Monday off fresh and bright, we have here 6 hangover cures that you can whip up right in your kitchen and make your morning better!

1. Water – The best cure!

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of waking up with a hangover, you know that the first thing your body craves is water. That’s right, good old H2O is your best friend when it comes to combating the nasty aftermath of a night of overindulgence.

Imagine this: you’re groggy, your head feels like it weighs a ton, and there’s a taste in your mouth that can only be described as ‘ugh’. It’s at times like these that reaching for a glass of water can feel like a lifeline. The reason behind this is simple – alcohol dehydrates your body and drinking water helps to rehydrate it.

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So, irrespective of the time you wake up post a heavy-drinking night, the first order of business should be to drink water. But don’t guzzle down a whole bottle at once. Instead, aim to sip on a small amount every few minutes. This will not only keep your body hydrated but also help in flushing out the toxins that alcohol leaves behind.

Now, here’s a bonus tip on how to prevent hangovers in the first place: while you’re out having a blast and downing those drinks, make it a point to hydrate yourself in between. That’s right, alternating your alcoholic beverages with a glass of water can work wonders in reducing your chances of waking up with a dreaded hangover the next day.

After all, prevention is always better than cure.

2. Breakfast – One of the best hangover cures

We’ve all heard it a million times before, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. And let me tell you, when you’re battling a hangover, this couldn’t be more accurate! Starting your day with a light breakfast, especially with some Indian hangover food, can be a real game-changer, helping to soothe that pounding headache and unsettling nausea.

One fantastic choice is eggs. Yes, the humble eggs sitting in your fridge are actually secret weapons against hangovers! They’re packed with amino acids which help to eliminate acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that builds up in your body after consuming alcohol. Whether you fancy them boiled, scrambled, or whipped into an omelette, eggs are a healthy and effective hangover remedy.

But if eggs aren’t really your thing in the morning, don’t worry, there’s another tasty option – muffins! These little treats can be surprisingly helpful when you’re feeling worse for wear. Their slightly sweet flavour and light texture can be much easier on your stomach than heavier foods. You can opt for a fruity blueberry muffin or a simpler plain one, they’re sure to fill you up without weighing you down.

And if you’re not a fan of eggs or muffins, we have a third alternative for you – plain toast! It’s blandness makes it an ideal food for hangovers. It’s easy on the stomach and can help soak up any residual alcohol. So go ahead, pop a slice or two in the toaster and banish that hangover!

The bottom line is, having some food in your belly will always help when you’re hungover. Consuming carbohydrates, minerals, or protein-rich foods, like those found in Indian hangover food, is essential to help your body recover. So remember, no matter how rough you’re feeling, don’t skip breakfast! It’s not just the most important meal of the day, it’s your best defense against a hangover.

3. Drink away your hangover blues

Now, when I say “drink”, I’m certainly not suggesting more alcohol! After a night of indulgence, your body is likely dehydrated and craving essential electrolytes. And what better way to replenish them than with nimboo pani (lemon water), a classic Indian hangover food and drink?

Nimboo pani is essentially Indian-style lemonade, made with freshly squeezed lemons, cold water, a pinch of salt, and some sugar for sweetness. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add a dash of ginger for an extra kick! This refreshing drink has been used as a hangover cure for generations, helping to restore electrolytes and revive your senses.

But the list of hydrating drinks doesn’t end there. Another age-old remedy passed down through generations is fresh coconut water. This natural beverage is not only incredibly hydrating but also packed with essential nutrients like potassium, which can help balance your electrolytes and make you feel more stable after a heavy night.

In fact, coconut water is often hailed as a superior alternative to sports drinks, as it provides the same hydration benefits without any artificial additives or excessive sugars. Plus, its mild, sweet taste can be a soothing antidote to the harsh aftertaste of alcohol.

So, the next time you’re dealing with the aftermath of a wild night, don’t despair. Reach for a glass of nimboo pani or coconut water, whip up some comforting Indian hangover food, and you’ll be back on your feet in no time!

4. Go ‘nuts’ or ‘bananas’ on these hangover cures!

It is said vitamins help reduce the severity of a hangover. So don’t just stop at the lemonade, go make yourself a fruit salad! Bananas and apples in this fruit salad are a must. These are great anti-oxidants that will help you immensely. Add some honey, milk, some berries and nuts to it and you are good to go! A delicious and filling hangover cure if there were any.

The alcohol causes oxidative stress and makes your body release various radicals. So, antioxidants like cashew nuts and almonds help your body deal with that. Nibble on them while making yourself that salad!

5. Ginger as a cure!

For many of us, a steaming cup of ginger tea, or as we call it in India, ‘adrak wali chai‘, is the go-to solution for many of life’s problems. And guess what? It turns out to be an excellent remedy for hangovers too!

Ginger, a common ingredient in Indian cuisine, is known for its numerous health benefits, making it an important component of Indian hangover food remedies. One of the most appreciated benefits of ginger is its ability to soothe an upset stomach. If you’ve ever had a hangover, you know that nausea and a queasy stomach are often part of the package. But with a hot cup of ginger tea, these symptoms can be significantly reduced.

But the magic of ginger doesn’t stop there. It also helps to reduce the urge to throw up, another common hangover symptom. Consuming ginger, either in the form of tea or even as a raw slice, can help calm your stomach and make dealing with a hangover much more bearable.

And let’s not forget the comforting warmth that a cup of adrak wali chai brings. It’s not just about the physical benefits; sipping on ginger tea can also provide a sense of comfort and relaxation, which can be extremely beneficial when you’re trying to recover from a hangover.

6. And finally, curd rice to the rescue!

Here comes the ultimate saviour – curd rice. This simple yet comforting dish is a staple in many Indian homes and is known for its soothing properties. The coolness of the curd helps in calming down an upset stomach, while the rice provides much-needed energy to your body.

Plus, it’s easy on the stomach and very digestible, making it an ideal choice after a night of heavy drinking. So, whip up some curd rice, and let this classic Indian hangover food naturally nurse you back to health!

And if none of these work for you, hydrate yourself well, keep a bottle of water handy, tuck yourself in and go to sleep. Sleep, after all, almost always solves all life’s problems!

Do let us know if we have missed any hangover cures in the comments. Or if any of these helped you!

Main image credits: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

In-article images: From various artists on Unsplash

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