With the festive season in full swing, indulgence in alcoholic drinks often leads to an all-too-familiar consequence — the dreaded hangover, the Daily Mail reports.
But according to Dr. Zoe Williams, a London-based NHS GP and television doctor, the cure might be as simple as a specially crafted sandwich. Backed by science, her breakfast creation promises to restore balance to the body and alleviate those post-party blues.
Dr. Williams’ hangover-fighting sandwich is far from your average breakfast. It combines specific ingredients designed to replenish vital nutrients, restore hydration, and stabilize blood sugar levels. Her aim is to correct the imbalance of salts, sugars, and proteins that occurs after a night of heavy drinking.
“After drinking alcohol, the body prioritizes processing and expelling it from the system, which means the liver has less capacity to regulate blood sugar,” explains Dr. Williams.
This dip in blood sugar often triggers hormones that make us feel nauseous. The right meal can quickly address these issues, and Williams’ sandwich does just that.
The sandwich starts with “half-and-half” bread, which blends the benefits of white and wholemeal varieties. Wholemeal bread offers fiber and nutrients, but its strong taste can sometimes upset a queasy stomach. White bread is gentler on digestion, but it lacks fiber and nutrients.
“With half-and-half bread, you get the best of both worlds — a mild taste that’s easy to eat while still providing slow-releasing energy,” says Dr. Williams.
The real magic lies in the filling, which includes bacon, egg, and avocado — a combination that might sound indulgent but has clear scientific backing.
- Bacon: While processed meat isn’t typically hailed as a health food, Dr. Williams notes that a little bacon can be beneficial after a night of drinking. Bacon is rich in sodium, one of the key electrolytes lost through alcohol-induced dehydration. Additionally, a 2009 study by the University of Newcastle found that bacon can help restore neurotransmitters in the brain that are depleted by alcohol, easing that “foggy brain” feeling many people experience during a hangover.
- Egg: Described by Dr. Williams as the “hero” of the dish, eggs are a nutritional powerhouse. They are rich in essential nutrients like vitamins A, D, and B12, which can become depleted due to alcohol’s effects on the stomach lining and its ability to absorb vitamins. Eggs also contain cysteine, an amino acid that helps the body break down acetaldehyde — a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism that contributes to hangover symptoms.
- Avocado: Packed with healthy fats, avocado provides a slow, steady release of energy throughout the day. It’s also loaded with potassium, another crucial electrolyte lost during alcohol-induced dehydration. Potassium helps regulate fluid balance, reduce cramping, and restore overall hydration.
No hangover recovery plan is complete without rehydration. Dr. Williams stresses the importance of drinking fluids, especially water or tea. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urination and depletes the body’s fluid reserves. While water is the gold standard for rehydration, Dr. Williams notes that a comforting cup of tea works too — even if it contains caffeine.
“Some people think caffeine is dehydrating, but tea still provides fluids that the body needs,” she says.
Her advice? Drink plenty of water before going to bed and keep two pints of water by your bedside.
While Dr. Williams’ sandwich may help alleviate the effects of a hangover, she also offers advice on how to avoid it in the first place:
- Eat Before and During Drinking: Consuming food before drinking slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Ideally, continue eating while drinking to reduce the risk of getting drunk.
- Alternate Drinks: Swap alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic options or choose low-alcohol beverages like low-alcohol beers or ciders.
- Wind Down Early: Stop drinking at least two hours before going to bed, and switch to water during this time to help rehydrate your body.
- Hydrate at Bedtime: Place two pints of water next to your bed to encourage hydration before sleeping.
Dr. Williams’ “scientific sandwich” offers a simple, practical approach to easing hangover symptoms. By targeting the body’s need for hydration, electrolytes, and essential nutrients, the bacon, egg, and avocado combination can leave you feeling more alert and less foggy.
Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Drinking responsibly, staying hydrated, and eating beforehand can reduce the severity of a hangover. But if the morning after still feels rough, a warm sandwich and a hot cup of tea might just be the next best thing.
