Drinks to help the common hangover

With the explosion of local independent beer, craft distilleries, and urban wineries, San Diegan enjoy an ever-present tidal wave of drink choices — and the hangovers that go with them. The next morning, locals crave quick and easy cures to stop the head ringing, spinning rooms, and trips to the porcelain throne.

Hangovers, in a nutshell, are caused by alcohol being processed too slowly through the system. When the amount of booze supersedes the speed the body can work at, acetaldehyde builds up, hydrochloric acid accumulates, salt and potassium is lost through all of those trips to the potty, and blood sugar is knocked out of whack. The result is a nasty combination of vomiting, dehydration, fatigue, low blood sugar, and killer headaches. Here are the top local hangover drinks to get back in the game, and be ready for tonight.

Happy Liver by Lean and Green: The liver punches the overtime clock processing alcohol and by the morning is pooped. Get the body’s most important detox organ back in action with a combination of apple, beet, carrot, celery, ginger, and lemon juice.

9868 Scranton Rd., #180, Sorrento Valley, 858.455.5326; 7825 Fay Ave., #180, La Jolla, 858.459.5326, leanandgreencafe.com

Detoxitonic by Mixologie: Perform reverse psychology after an over-indulgent wine night with this cold-pressed blend of green grapes, pear, green apples, grapefruit, lime and wheatgrass.

445 10th Ave., East Village, 619.564.8431, myxologiejuicebar.com

Bob Marleaf by The Mad Beet: With beyond-clever drink names such as A Tribe Called Zest, Beets by Dre, and Ghostface Kale’A, this juice bar has hangovers in check. Work on cleansing that urinary tract with the Bob Marleaf, featuring pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, strawberry, apple, celery, peach, spinach, banana and spirulina.

933 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.529.5129, themadbeet.com

Toxin Flush and Green Apple Detox by Nekter Juice Bar: Both fresh pressed juices target the yuckies and cleanse the system after a big night. The aptly named Toxin Flush features parsley, spinach, apple, lemon, and ginger. According to Nekter, it assists the body “to naturally rid itself of toxins in the blood and liver and soothe your tummy too.” Granny Smith fans will enjoy the Green Apple Detox, made with green apple, cucumber, lemon, fennel, kale, and ginger. Order online and available at nine locations in San Diego.

Multiple locations, nekterjuicebar.com

Liquid Lunch by Juice Kaboose: If the thought of solid food activates the gag reflex, settle that queasy tummy with nausea-blasting banana, mango, papaya, coconut, papaya juice, lecithin, protein and sunflower seeds.

7556 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.9300, juicekaboose.com

Get Over It by Whole Foods

This dairy-free, gluten-free, antioxidant vegan treat will battle a hangover and soothe the stomach with cinnamon.

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped fresh greens such as spinach or kale, thick stems removed
• 1 mango, cut into chunks (about 2 cups if using frozen)
• 1 cup unsweetened plain rice milk
• 1 banana
• 1 tablespoon vanilla cinnamon or chocolate cinnamon protein powder

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Nutritional information: 220 calories (25 from fat), 3g total fat, 170mg sodium, 48g carbohydrates, (8g dietary fiber, 28g sugar), 9g protein. wholefoodsmarket.com