Lemons cure hangover

Can lemons cure a hangover? Yes, lemon juice MIGHT help hangovers. We review this folk remedy for alcohol hangovers, how lemon juice works in the body, plus a few lemon juice recipes here.

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Can lemons cure a hangover? Yes, lemon juice MIGHT help hangovers. We review this folk remedy for alcohol hangovers, how lemon juice works in the body, plus a few lemon juice recipes here.

Lemon juice has been popularized as a hangover cure for generations. In 1929, the product Seven-Up came on the market. Its original name “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda” was promoted as a hangover cure. Here, we review the recipes and the claims that lemon juice can help relieve or abate symptoms of a hangover, ultimately asking and answering the question, “Do lemons really cure hangovers?”

How lemons help cure a hangover

Scientists STILL DON’T KNOW what causes hangovers. But one theory suggests that low blood sugar has something to do with feeling horrible after drinking. The idea is that as the body metabolizes or processes alcohol, the process can inhibit glucose production and result in hypoglycemia, which can add to hangover symptoms.

Consumption of fruits, fruit juices, or other fructose-containing foods (honey) is thought to decrease hangover intensity. As we know, fruit juice contains fructose. Fructose is really a form of sugar that some people think can help you metabolize alcohol faster and accelerate the rate that alcohol is removed from your body. Fructose is also thought to prevent the speedy change in alcohol level that may trigger headaches related to drinking.

And because lemon contains citric acid, the body’s acidic condition can be transformed to an alkaline condition. So, changes in the body’s PH that occur after you drink lemon juice can actually help ease symptoms of a hangover such as headaches and migraines by making the body more alkaline. Finally, fresh juices and teas will replace the body fluids that are depleted during drinking sessions, as alcohol dehydrates you.

Lemon juice recipes for a hangover

1. Lemon and ginger tea

    • 1 in. fresh ginger root
    • 20 oz. boiling water
    • 1/2 lemon

Instructions: Peel and grate the ginger root. Cover with the boiling water. Juice the lemon and add the juice of half the lemon and leave to cool. Put in the fridge to chill or drink warm.

2. Lemon juice in black tea

    • 1 sachet black tea
    • 20 oz. boiling water
    • 1/2 lemon

Instructions: Steep the black tea in boilding water for 2-3 minutes and not longer. Juice the lemon and add to the weak solution of black tea. Put in the fridge to chill or drink warm.

3. Lemon honey tea

    • 1-2 TBS pure honey
    • 20 oz. warm water
    • 1/2 lemon

Instructions: This final hangover remedy uses honey, an extremely concentrated form of fructose. Heat the water until warm (not boiling) and add a couple of spoons of honey to dissolve in the warm water. Then, add the juice of half the lemon and drink while warm, or put in the fridge to chill.

Does lemon juice cure hangovers?

Even though lemon juice may reduce the intensity of a hangover, it has not been systematically studied as a treatment for hangover symptoms. In fact, few cures or treatments for hangovers have undergone rigorous scientific investigation. And the best course of treatment for a hangover includes conservative management and TIME. Hangover symptoms will usually lessen over 8 to 24 hours, but some hangover duration periods can extend to 48 or 72 hours, in cases of extreme inxotication.

If you’re getting hangovers regularly, you may want to ask questions about binge drinking.  You might want to start to keep track of how much and often you are drinking, as well as set drinking goals for yourself. But, the main thing in to know when you need help. If drinking is no longer fun, or is ruining your life you can stop. Please leave your questions and comments about drinking, hangovers, or hangover tips below.

Reference sources: Alcohol Hangover Mechanisms and Mediators
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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