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Your head is pounding, your stomach is queasy and your skin is a deathly shade of grey.

Last night’s festivities are taking their toll. There’s only one thing that can save you now… a big, fat bacon sandwich.

It has always been a popular cure for a hangover, and now scientists have come up with proof it really works. Some good news from them at last.

Elin Roberts, science development manager at the Centre for Life in Newcastle, says: “Food doesn’t soak up the alcohol, but it does increase your metabolism – helping you to deal with the after-effects of over-indulgence. So food will often help you feel better. Bread is high in carbohydrates and bacon is full of protein, which breaks down into amino acids.

“Your body needs these amino acids, so eating them will make you feel good. Bingeing on alcohol depletes neurotransmitters too, but bacon contains a high level of amines which tops these up, giving you a clearer head.”

There’s even a scientific formula behind that tantalising aroma of a bacon butty.

Elin adds: “If you’ve got amino acids and reducing sugars at a heat above 150 degrees centigrade, it kickstarts the Maillard Reaction in the pan. That means lots of lovely smells are released and it’s this which draws us in. I know of three vegetarians who have been broken by the smell of bacon.”

The Centre for Life explores science through hands-on exhibitions and events. Elin’s role is to help visitors make sense of science, from volcanoes to bacon sarnies.

But if it fails, try water and sleep...

Get some sleep

The shut-eye you get when you’re drunk doesn’t refresh you like a normal night’s kip — there isn’t enough rapid eye movement, or dreaming, sleep.

Once you’re up and have had a glass or two of water, go back to sleep for a couple of hours. You will wake up much brighter and breezier.

It takes about an hour to break down a unit of alcohol so you can expect to break down four pints or a bottle of wine over a good night’s kip. A real session will require a lie in.

Drink more water

Don’t kid yourself – alcohol is a poison and it does bad things to the body. The less you drink the better you’ll feel the next day.

Try a non-alcoholic drink between each tipple and a glass of water before bed to stave off dehydration.

Fatty foods

Eating fatty foods helps, but only if it’s before you drink, not after. Fat lines the stomach and slows absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.

It takes longer to feel the effects, but because it slows absorption it also gives your body more time to deal with the results.

Comfort food

A bit of what you fancy does you good, so they say. If you think comfort food will make you feel better it probably will.

Pre-emptive strike

You know you have been silly so take Ibruprofen before going to bed, along with at least a pint of water. Hit the headache before it starts to happen.