Also, it is advisable to reduce the number of alcoholic drinks you consume. Spend time talking with an old friend with a soda or glass of water.

• Eat some honey. Honey supplies fructose, a sugar that helps the body metabolize the alcohol ingested, is rich in vitamin B6 and can reduce hangover symptoms. Two tablespoons of honey on a cracker or piece of Irish soda bread, before or after drinking, may prevent a hangover. Tomato juice, another good source of fructose, also allows the body to burn alcohol faster. The sugar in fruit and fruit juices may reduce some symptoms of hangover.

• Drink fluids containing minerals and salts. Liquids rich in minerals and salts offer relief from the dehydration caused by alcohol consumption. A cup of broth or bouillon replaces fluid and will not cause nausea. In general, replacement of fluids with beverages, such as sports drinks or water, is helpful.

• Drink a cup of coffee. Caffeine may provide some relief in alleviating the headache symptoms and decreasing the duration of pain. The caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor and eases the dilated blood vessels.

• Take Ibuprofen. While aspirin is OK, Ibuprofen is typically less irritating to the stomach and also can ease the pain of hangover headache.

• Alternate nonalcoholic beverages with alcoholic beverages. Drinking one nonalcoholic beverage between each green beer or other alcoholic beverage reduces overall alcohol consumption and helps replenish fluids. An easy way to achieve this: When ordering a drink at the bar, ask for a glass of water in addition to your alcoholic drink.

• Eat fatty food before consuming alcohol. If consumed before drinking alcohol, these foods help line the intestines, which causes alcohol absorption to take longer. So a burger or a little corned beef and cabbage before your beer or Bloody Mary might be beneficial.