Orange juice
The symptoms of a hangover are caused by severe dehydration and low blood sugar levels. Orange juice contains fast-acting carbohydrates that will counter both.

Coco Pops
The body treats alcohol as a toxin that it must metabolise and eliminate. This requires extra vitamins and minerals, which you can get from a fortified cereal such as Coco Pops and Crunchy Nut Cornflakes. Use low-fat milk, which contains easily digested whey protein, and avoid whole milk, which can aggravate the stomach lining and make you feel like spewing.

Banana
An excellent source of potassium, which helps replace and rebalance electrolyte levels caused by dehydration.

Toasted crumpet
Full of fast-acting carbohydrate. Smother it with Marmite or peanut butter, both of which contain sodium, to boost your body’s electrolyte levels.

Coffee or tea
One mug contains about 80mg of caffeine, which will keep you alert and reasonably coherent until you start boozing again.

Revival lunch
Breakfast wears off eventually. Here’s what to eat to stop yourself flagging in the afternoon

Baked potato
Comfort food doesn’t normally grow in the ground, but a jacket potato with baked beans and low-fat cheese is warm and satisfying yet not too rich or difficult to digest. It provides carbohydrate, protein, vitamin C and iron, which work together to improve absorption. The low-fat cheese adds easily digestible protein and calcium.

Cranberry juice
It’s red, which makes it sort of Christmassy, and it reduces the danger of kidney or urinary infections by killing bacteria.

Yoghurt
Add chopped mango – it will revive a dry mouth and supply you with betacarotene to ward off the effects of dangerous drinks with umbrellas.

You should be feeling better by now. In which case it’s probably time to return to the start and do it all again. Cheers!

Emergency!
Keep these in your kitchen cupboard for instant (ish) hangover relief

Isotonic drinks
The fastest way to absorb fluid, thanks to the concentration of glucose or dextrose and the addition of sodium and potassium.

Teacake
Not as comforting as a chocolate bar, but it’s an ideal snack that won’t send your blood sugar levels through the roof.

Veggie juice
Try a shot of vegetable juice. Arguably disgusting but full of vitamins and minerals. Christmas isn’t all fun.