Hung over? Try some toast and honey

A breakfast of toast and honey is the ideal New Year's Day hangover cure, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Honey, or alternatively golden syrup, provides the body with the essential sodium, potassium and fructose it needs after a good night out, say experts.

Other tips from the chemists include drinking a glass of milk before hitting the pubs and bars, sticking to gin or vodka and tonic, pacing yourself with the occasional soft drink, and downing a pint of water before going to bed.

Dr John Emsley, from the society, said: "The happiness comes from alcohol; the hangover comes from acetaldehyde. This is the toxic chemical into which alcohol is converted by the body, and it causes a throbbing headache, nausea, and maybe even vomiting.

"The hangover disappears as the acetaldehyde is slowly converted to less toxic chemicals."

Milk slows down the absorption of alcohol, so there is less acetaldehyde for the body to deal with at any one time. Gin is alcohol twice purified by distillation and contains few of the botanical flavours that contribute to a hangover.

But dark coloured drinks which contain natural chemicals should be avoided, said Dr Emsley.

Drinking a large glass of water before going to sleep reduces the dehydration caused by alcohol, which worsens a hangover.

"Only time cures a hangover, and generally the acetaldehyde will be gone by mid-morning or midday," Dr Emsley added.

"You can speed recovery by taking in more fluid, but a 'hair of the dog' only works if it relieves alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which suggests you are becoming addicted."