REGULAR exercise will reduce the horror of hangovers, scientists claim.

A study found that drinkers who keep fit suffer less after a night on the booze.

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Experts reckon body fat amplifies the after-effects of alcohol while muscle can help flush it out.

They tracked the drinking and exercise habits of 1,676 students in Texas, and asked them to rank their hangovers.

The results showed a sliding scale, with hangovers becoming less frequent and painful as activity levels increased.

Those who did no vigorous exercise and had 80 drinks a month had an average of 6.5 hangovers — and the highest severity score of 19 out of 65.

Students who drank the same amount but did 12 hours of vigorous exercise per week reported an average of three hangovers at a severity of 14.

Dr Clayton Neighbors, from the University of Houston, claimed it is the first study to show vigorous exercise can “reduce the likelihood, number and severity of hangovers”.

He said: “Physical activity can increase muscle mass and decrease body fat, resulting in increased body water and so more dilution of blood alcohol.”

He added: “Moreover, exercise enhances the rate of alcohol clearance from the body.”

Some 40 per cent of Brits admit they have gone to work hungover.

The Institute of Alcohol Studies estimate hangovers cost the economy £1.4billion a year.

The NHS advises drinking water, eating soup and taking headache tablets to ease them.