5 Anti-Hangover Tricks From Around the World
Drink what you want this holiday season, without feeling wrecked the next day.
Thanksgiving is upon us, and that means indulging in lots of food, dessert, and for the great majority of us, booze. There’s basically no way to avoid the unfortunate food hangover that accompanies inhaling mountains of mashed potatoes and turkey, but luckily there are ways to prevent alcohol hangovers so you’re not stuck nursing both. And though we can’t vouch for each and every one, here’s a look at how people around the world wave goodbye to hangovers.
Russia: Raw Eggs and Salty Water
Have you ever wondered how Russians are still alive after drinking so much vodka? Apparently, their biggest secret is eating a raw egg before getting their booze on. Eggs contain the amino acid cysteine, which your liver uses to process byproducts once alcohol has been metabolized. Cysteine is also processed into glutathione, which helps expel toxins from the body. The fatty acids in the egg also coat the stomach lining, lessening stomach irritation and slowing the rate of absorption, making you feel like you could drink forever.
Raw egg too hardcore for you? Sunflower oil does the trick, too. Just a couple spoonfuls, and you’ll be set for the night. In case a raw egg or some oil doesn’t prove useful and a hangover comes knocking at your door (or should I say, head), a glass of salty water should kick your hangover to the curb. It’s an ancient remedy that Russians swear by.
Siberia – Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots!
Though Siberia is part of Russia, Siberians have their own way of avoiding hangovers. Their secret? Drinking etiquette. Sips are out, shots are in. Step one. Breathe out, relax your body, and brace for impact. Step two. Knock it all back in one go and don’t breathe until it’s all gone from your mouth . Who knew shots were the secret of sobriety?
Turkey – Shots of Olive Oil
Turkish people gulp down some olive oil before gulping down booze. Of course they would, considering the fact that Turkey’s national alcoholic drink, Rakı, is REALLY strong. Like raw eggs, a swig of olive oil coats the stomach with greasy goodness, lessening irritation and slowing absorption, helping you stay sober longer.
Ancient Greeks – Amethyst Glasses
The word amethyst literally means “not drunken” in Greek, so they obviously knew what they were doing. Ancient Greeks would drink out of amethyst goblets and wear amethyst jewelry to stay sober as they got turnt, but modern science says it’s a load of bullshit. Amethyst is almost chemically the same as quartz, which is basically just glass, so drinking out of amethyst is no different than drinking out of a beer boot or straight out of the bottle. But who are we to question ancient beliefs? Here’s to you, Dionysus.
USA – Prickly Pear Cactus Extract
Bet you didn’t know an easily found supplement could save your ass from a hangover. A study led by Dr. Jeff Wiese at the Tulane Health Sciences Center in New Orleans found that prickly pear cactus extract can prevent a severe hangover if taken a few hours before drinking. The supplement alleviates nausea and dry mouth by helping restore blood sugar levels that crash and burn after drinking, but doesn’t do much for headaches and dizziness. Fortunately, an Advil or two and a big glass of water are Heaven’s gifts for the symptoms prickly pear doesn’t fix.
There you have it. Enjoy getting hammered appropriately tipsy this Thanksgiving.
Photos by Getty Images
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