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- Hangover No-Nos: 6 Foods and Drinks (Plus One Bonus) to Avoid
Hangover No-Nos: 6 Foods and Drinks (Plus One Bonus) to Avoid
Hungover and hungry? Be careful what you reach for. Some foods can make symptoms worse. Learn which ones to skip to help your body bounce back quicker.
Written by:
The Good Home Daily
- Food & Dining
- Last Update: April 28, 2025
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So, you had a heavy drink of tequila last night, and now you feel like you were hit by a truck. You can’t bear seeing the light, and your head is pounding like a drumbeat. All you can think about is devouring that same pizza you ordered last night. But hold on! The food you eat (or avoid) can significantly impact your hangover recovery.
Believe it or not, some foods and drinks can worsen hangover symptoms. And pizza is among the worst foods to eat during a hangover.
Your choices can either extend your suffering or speed up your return to normalcy. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. In this guide, we’ll reveal the five worst foods and drinks to consume when you have a hangover.
1. Greasy Foods
Ever wondered why pizza and fries seem irresistibly tempting when we are hungover? Well, it turns out it’s not only your taste buds to blame.
According to research, this craving is potentially linked to our hormone galanin. Both alcohol and fatty foods stimulate the production of galanin, which, in turn, increases the appetite for high-fat meals. What’s interesting is that when we consume fatty foods, our body stimulates more galanin. Talk about a vicious cycle!
However, our body chemistry might not be the only reason we crave greasy foods during a hangover. Some researchers believe that the desire for high-fat foods after drinking taps into our primal instincts.
According to Professor David Levitsky from Cornell University, fat, being the most energy-dense food, naturally appeals to us. While we typically resist these cravings when sober, alcohol can temporarily override our self-control, leaving us vulnerable to indulging in rich foods.
Greasy foods are heavy on the digestive system, and since alcohol and fat share the same metabolic pathway, your body has to work overtime to process everything. This can lead to indigestion, nausea, and heartburn.
2. Spicy Foods
Many people believe that spicy foods can help relieve hangovers. The theory is that the intense flavor can distract from other sensations, providing relief from hangover discomfort.
This is because spicy foods trigger the release of endorphins and dopamine. This release can prompt a sense of relief or even a degree of euphoria.
However, the effect is rather temporary, and this potential relief is outweighed by the negative consequences on the digestive system.
Spicy food contains capsaicin, which irritates the stomach lining and increases acid production. This can exacerbate hangover inflammation, leading to intensified pain, heartburn, and overall discomfort. If you have a sensitive stomach, you may experience worsened nausea, making the hangover even more unpleasant.
3. Coffee and Other Caffeinated Drinks
Are you the type of person who cannot start the day without a glass of coffee? Bad news for you: if you have a hangover, you may have to endure it for another day if you want to speed up your recovery.
Generally, coffee is a poor choice for a hangover because of its diuretic properties. Like alcohol, it can cause people to urinate more. That being said, when you drink coffee during a hangover, it can worsen your dehydration, which may lead to a more pounding headache.
While coffee provides a temporary energy boost and masks some symptoms, it doesn’t address the underlying causes of a hangover. If dehydration is a contributing factor to your hangover, drinking coffee can exacerbate the issue.
Keep in mind, however, that coffee isn’t the only drink that contains caffeine. Other foods and drinks with caffeine include chocolate, green tea, chewing gum, and energy drinks.
4. Sugary Foods
Sugary foods and drinks can worsen hangovers, but not in the way you might think. According to Amargo Couture, a registered dietitian at Staten Island University Hospital, sugar masks the strong flavor of alcohol, making it easier and faster to consume. The more you drink, the more severe your headache will be.
Still, sugar is a bad choice for a hangover, as it will only prolong your disrupted blood sugar levels. Sugary foods cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, followed by equally rapid crashes. This can lead to increased fatigue, mood swings, and even headaches, which are also common hangover symptoms.
5. Orange Juices and other Citrus
As you may already know, rehydration is one of the best ways to recover fast from a hangover. However, orange juice and other citrus juices are among the worst drinks to consume after drinking.
Citrus juices like orange juice are acidic. They can irritate your already inflamed stomach lining, which can worsen common hangover symptoms like heartburn and indigestion.
So, if you want to rehydrate after a hangover, it’s still way better to choose plain water. For a bit of flavor, coconut water is a hydrating alternative with added electrolytes.
6. More Alcohol
Some people believe that drinking more alcohol can actually help you recover from a hangover. But this is far from the truth. This common misconception is often referred to as “hair of the dog.”
Research has found that alcohol can indeed temporarily raise our endorphin levels, leading to pleasurable feelings. However, the hangover relief only works for a short time.
While it might temporarily mask the symptoms, it prolongs the hangover. It doesn’t actually address the underlying issue and can lead to a more severe hangover when the effects of the new alcohol wear off.
(Bonus) Don’t take Tylenol
Certain over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate symptoms associated with hangovers. However, avoid Tylenol or other medicines containing acetaminophen.
The reason for this is that Tylenol contains acetaminophen, which can be very harmful to your liver, especially when combined with alcohol. Your liver is already working hard to process the alcohol, and adding acetaminophen can overload it, leading to potential liver damage.
Help Your Body Recover from Hangover
Hangovers can trigger intense cravings, but don’t give in! What you eat and drink after a night out can significantly impact your recovery. Some choices can prolong or even worsen your symptoms.
When you have a hangover, it’s best to choose bland, easy-to-digest meals and drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate. For severe symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
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