Expert explains why eating kimchi and kombucha could help fight a hangover

While a night out with your pals can be pretty epic, a lot of us regret it the next day after we wake up with the dreaded hangover.

However, one expert has advised hangover suffers to consider a meal of gut-friendly fermented foods, even if that is the last thing you might fancy in the morning.

London-based registered dietitian Lucy Kerrison has explained that food options such as kimchi, kombucha and kefir are actually ideal for helping with that pesky hangover.

That is because these foods boost gut and liver health, which helps the body to flush the alcohol from the system quicker, subsequently reducing the length of a hangover.

Speaking to MailOnline, Kerrison also suggested fermented foods are made by adding microorganisms, such as bacteria, to products such as vegetables and even tea or milk.

She also said that this will tackle dehydration, which I think we are all aware of when we wake up the next morning after a heavy night.

"We know the liver is responsible for alcohol metabolism, so looking after your gut health and liver can have a positive impact on alcohol metabolism," Kerrison said.

"The faster alcohol is metabolised and removed from your system, the shorter your hangover.

"Maintaining good gut health can strengthen your intestinal barrier function, so it is less affected by alcohol, a known gut irritant which can affect intestinal motility, permeability and absorption of nutrients."

She added: "If you are suffering from a hangover, it is often foods high in salt and carbohydrates which you crave.

"Alcohol is dehydrating and salt results in water retention, so adding a little salt to your diet is not a bad thing during a hangover.

"Fermented foods which are higher in salt, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, can be helpful.

"They also contain live bacteria which can have a positive impact on our gut microbiome, something which can be damaged with excess alcohol consumption."

On the other hand, another expert told MailOnline that loading up on fermented products prior to a heavy drinking sesh will not help prevent a hangover.

Dr Duane Mellor, a dietician and lecturer at Aston University, says that the best way to completely avoid a hangover 'is not to drink to excess'.

Pretty self-explanatory I'd say.