With the weekend fading into memory, I thought this post was relevant! The best way to avoid a hangover is to not indulge the night before! Unfortunately, we are all human and it is likely you have experienced a hangover (or many) at times in your life. However, there are a couple of simple ways we can reduce or avoid the effects of a heavy night out.
3 Pre Drink Suggestions
1. Take a Vitamin B tablet pre party and/or the following morning – Alcohol consumption can lead to abnormally low levels of oxygen within the blood. Vitamin B12 works closely with Folic acid (Vitamin B9) in the production of healthy red blood cells. Therefore, restoring a healthy oxygen supply to your muscles and brain. B12 is also important for nervous function. It is required in the protective casing around nerve fibres that speeds up nerve transmissions. Restoring your red blood levels and nervous function will definitely help you kick that hangover.
2. Take an electrolyte tablet or powder before bed and/or the following morning – Electrolytes help to maintain water balance. Consuming alcohol depletes your electrolyte levels, leading to a water imbalance and dehydration. Replenishing your electrolytes will go a long way to making you feel normal again!
3. Eat a complex carb, fibrous meal before going out – When Alcohol enters your body it is converted into acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that is a major cause of hangovers. Complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre are absorbed slowly by the body. Try consuming them before a night out to help your digestive system.
3 Post Drink Suggestions
1. Avoid dark spirits – Dark spirits contain chemicals called Congeners, these can irritate the brain leaving you with unpleasant hangover headache. So steer clear of your favourite rum and wake up feeling clear headed.
2. Try these to improve your morning meal – As mentioned previously, acetaldehyde is a major cause of hangovers. Egg yolks contain the amino acid cysteine, which actually breaks down acetaldehyde, reducing its effects on the body. Your liver is also placed under a lot of stress when processing the Alcohol. Kale, Parsley and Spinach all act to relieve your liver, aiding your recovery.
6. Wallow in water – This is a pretty standard method many of us neglect. Yes, you may have lots of fluid in your body, but not the kind you want! Work to restore a healthy water balance as mentioned earlier. It doesn’t really get much simpler than that.
Final Note
You may want to try out these suggestions next time you have a night out planned. You can pick up all ingredients and vitamins in any local high street. Much like exercise, don’t over do it! You may want to implement 1 or 2 of these suggestions at a time. Find out what works for you.
When Personal Training in Twickenham, London, I often chat with clients about diet and nutrition. I try to keep things ‘real world’ i.e I will not tell you off for a night out! I will simply try to implement strategies to overcome and avoid any negative effects it may have.
