By Emma-lee Strachan

A hangover is caused by a combination of dehydration, vitamin depletion and the toxic byproducts created when your body is trying to break down the alcohol.

A hangover generally won?t stop until the alcohol is out of your system, but there are things you can do to can help take the edge off it.

Before heading out and during your night out make sure you drink plenty of water to help lessen the effects of dehydration and prevent you from consuming too much alcohol. Carbonated drinks like soft drinks and champagne make your body absorb the alcohol faster, try to avoid using fizzy drinks as mixers and have juice instead.
Taking a B vitamin supplement will help to clear toxins and calm a shaky nervous system the next day, try taking one before you start drinking and then again the next morning.

Eating a good meal before you start to drink, can help to top up your vitamin reserves and slow the absorption of alcohol.

Foods containing Cysteine, an amino acid found in eggs, meat, red peppers, oats and milk help to detoxify acetaldehyde ?a byproduct of alcohol that is a major cause of hangovers. This is why a fry up can make you feel better the next morning. Although having a healthy meal containing these ingredients is probably better for you in the long run, poached eggs or porridge are good choices.

Have a fresh orange juice with your eggs or porridge in the morning, this contains vitamin C which can help speed up the metabolism of alcohol, plus adding some ginger can help settle your stomach.

A banana and honey smoothie is another great option to help kick the hangover. Bananas are rich in the important electrolytes, magnesium and potassium, which are severely depleted during heavy drinking. Banana also helps calm the stomach, and with the honey, builds up the depleted blood sugar levels, giving you some energy. The milk soothes the stomach and re-hydrates your system.

Avoid coffee which can further dehydrate you and pain killers which can add extra burden to your liver and upset your stomach.