I'm usually one of those really irritating people who just doesn't get hangovers.
But last Saturday, wow did I feel terrible..my head was pounding, I felt like I would vomit if I moved and to say I felt like something had died in my mouth was an understatement. In short I was a bit of a mess and looked bloody awful to boot.
So why was this day different? And how can we prevent the mother of all hangovers?
Alcohol can make you feel relaxed and happy but it is actually a depressant. It switches off the part of the brain that controls judgement, leading to loss of inhibitions (much cringing the next morning) and decreased co-ordination (not the wonky paving slabs then.) In small quantities, alcohol can be beneficial and protect against heart disease, in large quantities it can be damaging. Over consumption of alcohol has been linked with lots of diseases and also provides empty' calories, i.e. calories with no nutritional value.
A large glass of wine contains around 150 calories, a measure of spirits around 60 calories and a pint about 220 calories.
In the UK, the recommendation is no more than two to three units of alcohol a day for women and three to four units for men. A unit is a measure of spirits, half a small glass of wine (my usual large glass has 3 units) or half a pint of beer or cider.
OK, so we know alcohol isn't the best thing for us, but lets be honest, we all have a blow out now and again and the majority of young (ish!) women drink more than we should. So how can we minimise the negative effects and prevent a hangover?
Well going back to my mishap on Fridaymy plan was to finish work, pop home for a bite to eat and to make myself look gorgeous, then head off for a couple of voddies with friends. But you know how it is, one more phone call answered means another hour in the office, so I went straight to the pub from work with no dinner.
Now my younger sister has an expression when she is going drinking,."eatin's cheatin'' and I can see her rationale; no food means alcohol is absorbed quicker, we get tipsy quicker, need to drink less so spend less and also replace our food calories with alcohol calories.
However this sets us up to feel bad as the alcohol hits us much faster. So have something to eat, even it is just a little snack, grab a packet of nuts, a couple of pieces of fruit, anything to line your stomach.
Alcohol dehydrates us which causes the headaches, fatigue and dry mouth of a hangover, so make sure you drink loads of water before you go drinking and try and have a few glasses throughout the night as well. Before you fall into bed, down a pint of water.
Darker drinks such as red wine, rum and whisky contain more congeners (chemicals which apparently give us hangovers), than clear or light coloured drinks. So vodka may be better than rum if your on the spirits. Cheaper drinks also contain more of these chemicals so go for the best quality wine you can afford.
For me prevention is better than cure and some food, plenty of water, a couple of multi vitamins and some milk thistle before I go out usually does the trick.
Milk thistle (silybum marianum) is a herb which has been used for 1000s of years to treat many ailments, especially those of the liver. It protects and repairs liver cells and I swear by it for hangover prevention and cure. I like taking tinctures (liquid extracts) as they are absorbed quickly but you can get capsules which I would imagine are just as effective. I take 10ml before a night out, 10ml when I get home (if I remember) and 10ml in the morning, but check the directions of the supplement you buy.
Alcohol depletes our bodies of vitamins so a good multivitamin will help prevent this and keep us functioning well.
If you haven't done this and are looking for a cure.
I know the first thing you reach for is the neurofen, paracetemol or whatever painkillers you have to hand DON'T! Our liver is under loads of stress trying to get rid of excess alcohol and these just make things worse as the liver also has to break down and excrete the drugs. Some painkillers aggravate your digestive system which is often a bit delicate anyway in the throws of a hangover. If you want to take something make it vitamins (either a multi vitamin and mineral or a good b complex), milk thistle and a rehydration drink (the types in chemists for vomiting and diarrhoea!) Alcohol affects our metabolism of sugar and this often gives us a carbohydrate craving, whether it be chips on the way home or loads of toast and sweet tea the next morning. It also affects the levels of salt in our bodies. A friend of mine swears by a packet of crisps and a lemonade to cure his hangover, and this may have some sound reasoning, it replaces salt, sugar and fluids, so although not being hugely healthy it may get us back on track!
So there you are, keep your binge drinking to a minimum as it does do us harm in the long run. But on those nights you know it is inevitable, stock up on water, vitamins, milk thistle and eat! Then be the smug one the next morning.
This article was taken from one of Katie Brooke's newsletter.
Katie Brooke writes a successful free newsletter to help busy women become, and remain, fit, healthy and slim. Her website contains information on diet, exercise, quick recipes and many other topics. For more information visit http://busygirlsguide.webs.com/ and sign up to the FREE newsletter, or e-mail katie.brooke@btinternet.com
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