Is hangover preventable?

Drinking with a full stomach will only delay the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream but not prevent it. Eating before drinking or taking certain food items is not the way to avoid getting drunk.

Nothing can speed up the process to sober up, including activities such as drinking black coffee/water or having a cold shower. Only time can allow the body to break down alcohol. Generally, it takes about an hour for a healthy person to clear one standard drink (equivalent to 10g of pure alcohol). However, the rate of alcohol metabolism varies from person to person due to a different metabolic rate, body attributes and composition.

Drinking copious amounts of fluid will not reduce the burden of the liver to metabolize the absorbed alcohol. While fluids rehydrate the body and lower blood alcohol concentration, the alcohol within the body still needs to be dealt with by the liver. While drinking copious fluids may ease some of the symptoms, it will not cure a hangover. The best way to avoid one is to limit your drinking or, even better, stay sober. Remember that fluids are not going to make you any less drunk or protect your liver.