Preventing Hangovers with Smarter Food Choices:

We’ve all been there: waking up with a pounding head, dry mouth, and a stomach that feels like it’s riding a roller coaster. The infamous hangover. While moderate drinking or abstaining is the best way to avoid hangovers altogether, if you do choose to indulge, selecting the right foods before, during, and after drinking can make all the difference. Let’s explore how.

1. Understanding Hangovers:

Before we dive into the preventative measures, it’s essential to understand what causes a hangover. Alcohol causes the body to produce more urine, leading to dehydration. It can irritate the stomach lining, reduce blood sugar levels, dilate blood vessels, and disrupt our sleep. All these combined lead to the unpleasant symptoms of a hangover.

2. Before You Drink: A Solid Foundation:

a. Carbohydrates: Consuming complex carbohydrates before drinking can slow the absorption of alcohol. Foods like whole grains, pasta, and starchy vegetables give your body a steady energy release and can reduce the rate at which alcohol hits your system.

b. Proteins: Like carbohydrates, protein can slow down the absorption of alcohol. Eggs, lean meats, and legumes can provide a protective layer in the stomach, reducing the irritation that alcohol might cause.

c. Fats: Healthy fats like those found in avocados, nuts, and olives can also delay gastric emptying. This means that alcohol takes longer to enter your bloodstream, potentially leading to less severe hangover symptoms.

3. While You’re Drinking: Stay Hydrated:

a. Alternate with Water: For every alcoholic drink you consume, have a glass of water. This can prevent dehydration and help to flush the alcohol out of your system faster.

b. Electrolyte Solutions: Drinks like sports beverages can replenish lost electrolytes. Sipping on them during your drinking session can combat the diuretic effects of alcohol.

4. Foods to Avoid While Drinking:

a. Salty Snacks: While they might be tempting with your drink, salty snacks can exacerbate dehydration.

b. Sugary Mixers: Sugar can make hangovers worse by causing blood sugar levels to spike and then plummet. Opt for low-sugar or sugar-free mixers instead,

read more

https://nutritionalstudi.blogspot.com/2023/09/how-to-prevent-hangovers-with-smarter.html