Hangover cures

A breakfast of toast and honey is the ideal New Year's Day hangover cure, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Honey, or alternatively golden syrup, provides the body with the essential sodium, potassium and fructose it needs after a good night out, say experts.

There are almost as many folk cures to treat the unpleasant, painful condition that some have dubbed the wrath of grapes as there are beers, wines and whiskeys that cause it.

In Finland, saunas are a preferred antidote, in the belief that they increase the circulation and therefore sweat out alcohol's toxins faster.

Russians are said to prefer cabbage soup to replenish lost water and nutrients.

The fizzy tablet of choice in the US is Alka Seltzer.

In some parts, a prairie oyster (a concoction of egg yolk, worcestershire sauce, vinegar, tabasco sauce and salt & pepper) has its loyal boosters.