Your head's pounding, a wave of sickness washes over you, and you feel unusually thirsty. Nausea, dizziness, headaches, and dehydration are just a few of the common symptoms of a hangover. Unfortunately, there is no proven cure just yet, but there are ways to prevent these terrible after effects.
It's universally known that eating before and even during alcohol consumption slows down the absorption of alcohol, but does drinking olive oil have the same effect?
Fatty foods stick to the stomach lining longer than most other food (and alcohol tends to irritate the stomach, causing vomiting and nausea), therefore it would make sense. After all, it's an old Mediterranean remedy, and why doubt the eating and drinking habits of a Mediterranean diet? It's one of the healthiest diets with alcohol included.
Testing the Theory
I went through my day as usual, having dinner just two hours prior to drinking (I try to avoid drinking on an empty stomach). I was not planning on drinking that night, but for the sake of this experiment, I got vodka with pineapple juice–simple and a regular for me. Before starting, I poured out a shot of olive oil and drank it without thinking twice. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it wasn't that bad.
I had invited a few friends over to have a casual hangout. We were all about two or three drinks in when I started to feel the effects of the alcohol. I don't believe the olive oil delayed the time it took for my blood to absorb the alcohol, I would've felt the same at that time even if I hadn't taken it. Two drinks later, and I was drunk.
Would I Have a Hangover?
Usually, I feel a bit dizzy and nauseous after a night of drinking, and this time around I felt the same. I was not any less hungover, and I was honestly disappointed. The olive oil was not the miracle in a bottle we were all hoping for, unfortunately.
As of now, there is no solid evidence whether having olive oil before drinking really works. However, eating any food before drinking may just be one of the best hangover prevention methods. That and drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, probably even drinking more afterwards can help ease a hangover.
Next time, you could go for that slice of pizza before heading out, or choose a healthier option approved by dietitians. Either way, it's important to down some food and drink it up (water, obviously) before a night out.