Before drinking, eat a full meal. A full stomach slows down the absorption of alcohol, giving the body more time to process the toxins. Foods high in fat content, like cheese, and carbohydrates will retard the absorption of alcohol. Having food in the stomach also decreases stomach irritation, in turn reducing the likelihood that a drinker will vomit.

Before drinking alcohol, drink a glass of water. This ensures the body is hydrated before the diuretic effect takes hold.

Also, drink a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage. In addition to helping keep a drinker hydrated, this will give the body more time to process the alcohol, dilute the toxins and reduce irritation of the stomach. A sports drink will also replenish electrolytes, salts and sugars lost in the urine.

Wine has a higher percentage of alcohol (7 to 15 percent) than beer (4 to 6 percent), but it is usually not carbonated. White wine is safer than red or blush because it has fewer congeners.

Wine is a mild natural tranquiliser, serving to reduce anxiety and tension. As part of a normal diet, wine provides the body with energy, with substances that aid digestion, and with small amounts of minerals and vitamins. It can also stimulate the appetite. In addition, wine serves to restore nutritional balance, relieve tension, sedate and act as a mild euphoric agent to the convalescent and especially the aged.

The use of standard drinks can help people to monitor their alcohol consumption and exercise control over the amount they drink.

Different types of alcoholic drinks contain different amounts of pure alcohol. A standard drink is defined as one that contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. A standard drink for table wine (12%) is 1 small glass of 100ml. Large wine glasses can hold two standard drinks or even more!

The remedy known as 'a hair of the dog' that is, having a drink or two the following morning ?C is time-honoured. It works up to a point, but only temporarily. The hangover will return when the effects of the drink wear off; it simply prolongs the discomfort. Some people recommend a variety of vitamins, and herbal preparations but there's no scientific evidence they work.

An effective treatment is physical exercise such as swimming, running or a workout at the gym. This releases endorphins which remove the feeling of a hangover.