It is said that prevention is better than cure. Obviously it's okay to deal with a hangover, but wouldn't it be better not to get drunk at all? There are a few things you can do to prepare for a night of drinking and avoid spending the next morning hugging the toilet bowl. Unfortunately the only truly effective way to completely avoid the consequences of a hangover is to not drink, but that doesn't sound like much fun, does it?
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Before Drinking
Step 1. Eat before drinking to absorb alcohol more slowly
Eating helps reduce the acetaldehyde in the stomach, the element that is responsible for a hangover. Have a full meal, not a full-fat snack.
- Fatty, carbohydrate-rich foods like pizza and pasta are best for preventing a hangover, because fat slows the absorption of alcohol.
- However, if you are looking to eat healthily, choose the fats from fish, the fatty acids found in salmon, trout and cod.
Step 2. Get some vitamins
To metabolize alcohol your body needs it in large quantities, remember that alcohol destroys the B vitamins. The body will have major problems dealing with a hangover if it is deficient in these nutrients. You can help your poor liver by taking a vitamin supplement before every good night. If you want better results, take a B, B6, or B12 vitamin complex.
You can find these supplements in pharmacies, parapharmacies and even supermarkets; or you can get vitamin B into your body through food, thanks to meat and animal products like milk and cheese
Step 3. Drink a tablespoon of olive oil
It may sound exaggerated, but many cultures of the Mediterranean area believe this remedy works. The principle is analogous to that of eating fatty foods before drinking: the oil limits the absorption of alcohol. So, if you can stand it, gulp down a tablespoon of olive oil before going out.
Alternatively, you can increase your oil intake by dipping croutons or salad
Step 4. Drink the milk
It is believed to prevent a hangover because it lines the walls of the stomach, thus limiting the absorption of alcohol. Although the scientific evidence is not clear, many people swear this technique works. If nothing else, milk is a healthy source of calcium and B vitamins, so drinking it won't hurt you.
Part 2 of 3: Drinking Intelligently
Step 1. Drink only one type of alcohol
Mixes are the worst and cause a ferocious hangover. This is because each type of alcohol contains different additives, aromas and other elements which, when combined, become a "toxic" mixture for your body. Choose beer or vodka or wine or rum but, whatever your preference, don't drink them all together in one night. Choose your drink and be consistent.
Cocktails are particularly dangerous because they contain two or more mixed spirits. If you can't resist the bright colors and decorative umbrellas, at least don't exceed the maximum limit of two Cosmopolitans
Step 2. Get a light colored liqueur
Dark ones, such as brandy, whiskey, bourbon and some tequilas, have a high concentration of toxins, called congeners, which are formed during the fermentation and distillation process. These toxins contribute to aggravating the symptoms of the next day, so if you really have to drink spirits, at least choose lighter colored ones like vodka or gin.
Step 3. Alternate alcohol with water
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means you'll often pee and become dehydrated. Dehydration is a major cause of hangover malaise and causes thirst, dizziness, and headaches. So the more water you drink to rehydrate before, during and after drinking alcohol, the less severe your symptoms will be the next morning.
- Drink a large glass of water before starting with the alcohol, and continue this way throughout the evening alternating between drinks and water. Your body will thank you the next day.
- Also, drinking water between drinks decreases the amount of alcohol you consume throughout the evening.
Step 4. Avoid mixes with "diet" drinks
Diet Coke or Diet Lemonade is not a good choice for your drinks because they contain no sugar or calories and the alcohol they are mixed with reaches the bloodstream directly. Choose the regular versions of these sodas, their calories can help you the next day.
Although regular drinks are more suitable than dietary ones, fruit juices are the best choice. In fact, these drinks are not carbonated (carbon dioxide accelerates the absorption of alcohol in the body) and contain a certain amount of vitamins, which certainly are not bad
Step 5. Be careful with the champagne and sparkling wine
These wines literally go to the head. Studies have shown that bubbles accelerate the transport of alcohol in the body and get you drunk earlier.
If you are at an event like a wedding and can't resist the bubbles, just drink a glass to toast and choose a different alcohol for the rest of the celebrations
Step 6. Know your limits and stick to them
The hard truth is that 75% of people who drink alcohol toxicated will suffer from a hangover the next day. These hangovers are nothing more than the body's way of ridding itself of alcohol toxins, so the more you have, the more annoying they will be. The number of alcoholic beverages required to achieve intoxication varies from person to person, and knowing your limits is important. Experts recommend that you drink no more than three alcoholic beverages in a 1 to 2 hour period, and no more than five in one night.
- Pay attention to how different types of alcohol affect you. Regardless of what the studies say, every person metabolizes alcohol differently, and with experience you will learn which beers, wines or spirits are right for you and which ones will ruin your next day. Listen to your body's reactions and act accordingly.
- Remember that despite all the tips given here, the main solution to preventing a hangover is to drink in moderation; the less alcohol you consume, the better chance you will have of avoiding a hangover
Part 3 of 3: After Drinking
Step 1. Rehydrate
As mentioned earlier, dehydration is the main cause of hangover symptoms. Move early and immediately drink a glass of water as soon as you get home. Also remember to bring a bottle of water to the bedroom to drink at night if you wake up. You may have to force yourself to wake up around 4 to drink, but you'll feel better the next morning.
- The next morning, regardless of how you feel, have another large glass of water. Take the one at room temperature, if it's too cold you may feel nauseous.
- You can also rehydrate and replace lost electrolytes with sports drinks or coconut water. Even a smooth ginger ale will help you manage nausea, while an orange juice will give you a lot of energy.
- Avoid caffeine in the morning, it makes dehydration worse. If you really need something to cheer you up, limit yourself to just one cup of coffee, or go for something lighter like iced tea.
Step 2. Have a good breakfast
A healthy but light breakfast can work wonders. Food fixes your stomach and gives you energy. Eat some toast with some butter and jam or, better yet, scrambled eggs. Toast absorbs the last remaining alcohol in the stomach, while eggs contain vitamin B.
You should also eat fresh fruit to take advantage of all the nutrients it contains. So, if you're in a hurry, try a fruit smoothie; it is healthy and satisfying
Step 3. Sleep
When you go to sleep drunk, your sleep quality is very bad and you wake up tired and groggy. After getting up, having breakfast and drinking water, go back to bed for a nap if you can.
It will take several hours for the body to metabolize the alcohol, so the best thing you can do is sleep for a couple of hours and hope to get better when you wake up
Step 4. Distract yourself
The pain you experience with a hangover is worse if you keep thinking about it. While it's not easy, make an effort to get up, get dressed and go for a walk in the fresh air. A ride to the park or a walk on the beach might be what you need. If it seems too tiring, watch a movie, read something or call a friend to find out exactly what happened the night before …
Some find exercise to be a great hangover cure; so if you are a sporty type, go for a run and sweat out all the toxins. Don't do this if you are faint of heart
Step 5. Take some pain relievers
If your head hurts, take aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. Take these medicines in the morning and not the night before when you still have alcohol in your body. Alcohol is a blood thinner, as are pain relievers, and the combination of these can be dangerous.
- Never take acetaminophen pills if you have been drinking, it is very dangerous.
- Drinking the next day actually makes you feel better, but remember that the body has to metabolize all the alcohol sooner or later; drinking only prolongs the "agony".
Advice
- Not smoking. Smoking will tighten your lungs and reduce the flow of oxygen in your blood.
- Cheeses and nuts are great foods to eat in these cases, as their high fat content slows the absorption of alcohol. When in a pub, eat slowly while drinking.
- In terms of alcohol consumption, 33cl of beer = 15cl of wine = 1.5cl of liquor. Don't think about drinking less alcohol because you are drinking white wine instead of Coke & Rum.
- If you have stomach problems, take antacid medicines.
- If you are a woman or are of Asian race, you should drink a little less because your metabolism is more susceptible to a hangover. Women have a lower metabolic rate due to a higher ratio of fat to lean body mass, while Asians have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the enzyme that digests alcohol.
- Some people have found that taking a milk thistle capsule helps relieve a hangover. This method has not yet been scientifically proven, but if it works for you, don't hesitate to adopt it.
Warnings
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Remember: never drink if you have to drive!
It doesn't matter if you are above or below the legal alcohol level, it is still dangerous to drive after consuming any amount of alcohol. Studies have shown that your ability to drive will be affected long before your BAC exceeds the legal level.
- NEVER mix acetaminophen drugs with alcohol, as liver damage could be severe! Take an aspirin if you need a pain reliever.
- Always read the label of supplements and medications, especially the warnings, to verify that there are no side effects due to the combination with alcohol.
- Taking a "Chaser", or any other medicine that blocks congeners, will not stop you from getting drunk. It will simply prevent or limit the effects of hangovers.
- Be careful when consuming alcohol and caffeine. Too much caffeine in combination with too much alcohol can lead to a major, or even fatal, increase in heart rate.
- Just taking precautions doesn't mean you won't get drunk. Always drink responsibly.
