We’ve all been there. You wake up in the morning with a raspy throat, unquenchable thirst and a raging headache. The sun creeping through the blinds makes your eyes sting and your stomach lurches as you climb out of bed. Even a whisper seems like a yell. It doesn’t take a doctor to diagnose the problem—you have a hangover. New Year’s Day is known as the most hungover day in America, which is only fitting considering New Year’s Eve tops the list of libation-consuming holidays. Odds are, when you’re in this state of agony, you’ll take anyone’s creative hangover remedy to cure your sickness. Luckily, you may not have to suffer through these strange remedies any longer. Instead, all you might need is a simple cup of coffee.
Does coffee help hangovers?
Yes, coffee can help a hangover. In a study done by Thomas Jefferson University’s Michael Oshinksky, it was found that caffeine, strategically paired with aspirin, may be the best cure for a hangover.
Why is coffee good for your hangover?
Ethanol (alcohol) brings on headaches due to the chemical acetate it is able to produce. In the study mentioned above, Professor Oshinksky induced lab rats into a headache with small amounts of alcohol (an open bar for the rats!). After about four hours, the acetate set in and the skin around the rat’s eyes became sensitive to touch, a sure sign they were in hangover land (also, for some reason, Zach Galifianakis was there). Oshinksky then gave each rat a dose of caffeine and an anti-inflammatory. The combination was found to block the acetate and relieve the headaches. Hallelujah!!! So next time you’re questioning your life decisions while curled up in your bed, don’t look for a greasy breakfast or some crazy raw egg concoction (we always feel sicker afterward, don’t we?). Instead, brew a cup of The Roasterie coffee (or have a loved one do it) and take some aspirin. You’ll feel like yourself in no-time...or at least close to it. Cheers!