How To Cure Your Hangover With Indian Food

We all know that feeling — the dreaded morning after the night before, when an evening of free-flowing alcohol has left you with a mouth drier than the sun and a head that pounds in time with your own heartbeat. When regret and the memory of numerous bad decisions is leaving you wondering if it would just be easier to never get out of bed again, it’s time to be good to yourself and nourish your body with the sustenance it needs to survive.

First of all, water is key. Alternating water with alcoholic drinks on the night in question, or drinking a pint of water before you head off to sleep can make a real difference to the level of hangover you experience. If Level One equates to a mild headache and Level Ten is say, Dante’s seventh circle of hellish hangover — drinking plenty of H2O can save you descending into the inferno. But hindsight’s a wonderful thing!

So, in the spirit of looking forward, not back, let’s take a close look at the deliciously soothing Indian food choices that just might help heal your hangover — or at the very least put a smile back on your face…

Egg Bhurji
Eggs are an excellent choice to feed a hangover as they contain a substance called cysteine that can assist your body in breaking down acetaldehyde — a grim toxin linked to alcohol metabolism. Chopped onions, chillies and a smattering of spices give these scrambled eggs a burst of flavour — just the thing to perk up your taste-buds. Serve with wholemeal rotis slathered in butter to sort out those salt and carbohydrate cravings.

Idlis
These fluffy, little rice cakes provide a solid, hearty bit of stodge to help stabilise your stomach. An ideal ingredient if you are struggling with strong flavours, rice also contains B Vitamins and thiamine — this should help you avoid the dreaded shakes. Team with a selection of chutneys if you can handle it.

Samosas
The ultimate hangover comfort food, a fat little samosa stuffed with potato, is the ideal snack for battling those hangover cravings. Alcohol is notorious for lowering your blood sugar, resulting in a rabid desire for anything with carbs, sugar or fat to give yourself a boost.

Upma
A warming bowl of traditional South Indian upma can be just what the doctor ordered after a heavy night. It is a type of Indian porridge created from dry, roasted semolina or rice flour and it can be made savoury or sweet according to preference. It is notoriously easy to digest.

Banana Puri
Bananas have long been applauded as a top food for soothing a hangover. With high levels of potassium, magnesium, electrolytes and a high water content, they take the lead in the fight against dehydration. Try banana puris — little puffs of bread created with mashed up bananas, sugar, flour and warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom.

Hopefully, after a day of rest, rehydration and eating well, you’ll be ready to head on out that same evening. Why not plan a visit to one of London’s best Indian brasseries? That’s certainly something worth getting out of bed for.