Caffeine and painkillers best for hangover

Forget the bacon sandwich, Big Mac or drinking a pint of water before you collapse into bed - scientists say that a combination of caffeine and painkillers is the best way to deal with a hangover.

Most studies suggest that acetaldehyde - a toxic chemical produced when alcohol is metabolised in the liver - is behind the dreaded hangover. But researchers at the Thomas Jefferson Institute, Philadelphia, say that acetate, another by-product, is to blame.

The scientists investigated the effect of low doses of ethanol in rats which are susceptible to developing migraines. Within 4-6 hours of being given alcohol, the animals began to show signs of a headache; in rats this includes the skin around their eyes becoming sensitive to touch.

A mixture of both caffeine and anti-inflammatory drugs gave the best results at inhibiting symptoms in the hapless rats.

When given acetate alone, the animals showed typical headache symptoms, but an enzyme used to inhibit the build up of acetaldehyde had little effect, suggesting that the acetate was the cause of their hangover.

The scientists hangover cure goes against conventional wisdom that drinks containing caffeine should be avoided when you have a hangover, as it may contribute towards dehydration and make the symptoms worse. But none of the rats in the study showed any signs of dehydration.

In the journal PLoS One the authors concluded: "Our findings challenge the concept that dehydration and congeners alone are the cause of hangover headache.

"While dehydration and congeners may contribute to the hangover in humans, this is the first demonstration that acetate accumulation may play a role in hangover headache induction."

Perhaps it's best to be on the safe side and keep that pint glass of water close to hand after all.

This article was published on Wed 19 January 2011