BY CLAIR WHITTY
This time of year, many of you will be out and about partying. Some of you may end up with a hangover the next day. Here are some tips that may help prevent this. I cannot promise anything but they are worth trying! Some common symptoms of a hangover are headaches, tiredness, and inability to focus or concentrate. And even the loss of a day as you have no choice but to spend it languishing in bed or on the couch!
Alcohol excretes up to four times more water than the amount of alcohol you drink. This causes dehydration which causes headaches. Aim to drink a glass of water between each alcoholic drink to help keep hydrated. Alcohol affects your blood sugar levels as it excretes glucose, and minerals like potassium and magnesium. The loss of these minerals and sugars can affect your energy levels, focus, and concentration. Alcohol contains congeners which contribute to hangovers. The darker the colour of the alcohol the more congeners present.
Tips to help: Eat a substantial meal before you drink as drinking on a full stomach will help to slow down the effects of alcohol. Include fatty foods such as fats and oils in the meal as these foods help slow down the absorption of alcohol. Drink plenty of water before you go out.
Supplements to help: Try Milk Thistle Complex by A.Vogel, it contains Milk Thistle, Dandelion, and Artichoke to help support and protect the liver, and aid in fat digestion. Take it before going out, when you come in, and again in the morning. Another favourite is Charcoal tablets. Several customers who would normally have bad hangovers told me that they tried charcoal before going out and that they have no hangover the next day.
In the morning have a high carbohydrate, high protein breakfast. Include eggs as they contain cysteine which helps in the breakdown of alcohol. A banana or coconut water if you can manage will help replace some of the electrolytes lost during the night. A glass of fruit juice with a small pinch of salt can help your blood sugar balance. A cup of coffee can help your hangover because it causes the blood vessels to shrink helping reduce pain.
Hope you have a great night out and that these tips help.
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