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Why do we get hangovers: Study indicates it is (partly) down to your genes

Australian research indicates genetics account for half of the reason why one person wakes up hungover and another not

Rose Troup Buchanan
Monday 25 August 2014 14:55 BST
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Are hangovers genetic?
Are hangovers genetic? (Rex)

Here’s one more thing you can blame your parents for: scientists in Australian have discovered evidence suggesting hangovers are genetic. Well, sort of.

A new study examining twins suggests it may be something in your genes that predetermines why one person experiences a brutal hangover, while another, drinking an identical amount, wakes up feeling absolutely fine.

Researchers looked for links between the study’s participations’ genetic makeup and the number of hangovers the individuals recorded experiencing in the past year.

According to the results, genetic factors accounted for 45 per cent of the difference in the number of hangovers in women and 40 per cent in men.

Put simply, genetics accounts for nearly half of the reason you wake up feeling unwell. The other reasons are more down to environment, or at least factors unrelated to your DNA.

For example - unsurprisingly - how much and how quickly you drink, or if you eat before or during drinking will all affect just how bad you feel the following morning.

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