Ah, the dreaded hangover. Nothing feels as awful as a pounding headache, churning stomach and overall sense of miserable grogginess that comes along with it.

Of course, most of us are aware that the best way to avoid the hangover blues is by avoiding drinking to excess in the first place.

Although… it is much easier said than done, especially when we’re around great company.


But if you ever feel the pain of a 'day after' too strongly, a well-known dietitian says there may be a hidden cure in your local supermarket aisle.

According to the New York Post, kombucha and kimchi have been identified as the key to feeling better after an alcohol-filled night.


Kombucha is a fermented beverage made with tea, sugar, and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts.

It has long been hailed as an excellent natural remedy for digestive issues, and it turns out it could be a fantastic hangover solution, too!

Meanwhile, kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made of salted cabbage, fermented vegetables and various spices. It is said to help reduce inflammation and promote better gut health due to its live bacteria content.

The probiotic content of kombucha and kimchi is also thought to help strengthen the body's intestinal barrier, which can be affected by the properties of alcohol.


Registered dietitian Lucy Kerrison says: 'We know the liver is responsible for alcohol metabolism, so looking after your gut health and liver can have a positive impact on alcohol metabolism.’

‘And maintaining good gut health can strengthen your intestinal barrier function, so it is less affected by alcohol, a known gut irritant which affects intestinal motility, permeability and absorption of nutrients.'


What’s more, when you’re tempted to reach for salty snacks while suffering from a hangover, it might be a good idea to continue.

'Fermented foods which are higher in salt, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, can be helpful,' she explains.

However, dietitian Dr Duane Mellor firmly believes that the best hangover cure is still to curb alcohol consumption in the first place.

And while kombucha and kimchi may be great snacks for improving gut health, they also have other essential health benefits. These include blood sugar control and soothing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.


So, the next time you’re feeling a little worse for wear, why not try these two fermented foods?

They might not completely rid you of your hangover, but they won’t hurt your health either–and as a bonus, you could even start to enjoy the taste!


Have you ever tried either of these two grocery items for a hangover? What are your tried-and-tested hangover cures? Let us know in the comments below!