Is There Really Such A Thing As A Hangover Cure? Maybe Not... But There Is Always Prevention

December 31, New Years Eve. What are your plans for tonight? Perhaps like millions of others around the globe, your wanting to ring in the New Year by having a few drinks with friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, you have to work in the am. Should you just deal with a hangover or is there a cure?

Whether or not you consider yourself a seasoned drinker or someone that only indulges once in a while, we all suffer the same consequence. "The Hangover". I'm not here to tell you to drink plenty of water before you pass out. Rather, I'd like to pass on a few tips that may lessen tomorrows migraine.

EAT BEFORE YOU DRINK

We've all went out drinking on an empty stomach before, but why do you think it is so important to fuel up before heading out? Having a full stomach before you start drinking aids in absorbing alcohol which in turn slows the rate of intoxication. Slowing down intoxication means alcohol is not getting in to the blood stream as rapidly, which can reduce the chance of a hangover. Foods high in starch like pasta and bread are the best to consume before a planned night out.

MULTI-VITAMINS & B-COMPLEX

Vitamin B-12 is probably one of the best defences for helping the headache. B-12 aids in de-toxifying the body, not just during but after drinking as well. And really, is there a downside to giving your body some much needed supplements such as vitamins?

STAY HYDRATED

A beer as well as a spirit contain approximately one ounce of alcohol. The human body can process about one ounce of alcohol every hour. For us seasoned drinkers one beer per hour just wont cut it. At times, it is not hard to push 3 maybe 4 beer in the 'ol locker within that time span. It is extremely good practice to have a couple drinks, have a water and repeat. This will not only slow you down and re-hydrate you but it also serves one other important purpose. Alcohol is a diuretic - increases the flow of urine- which means water is lost from your kidneys and not reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. Therefore the best water to alcohol ratio would be 1:1.

COLDER THE BETTER

Liquids are absorbed into the body at room temperature. Therefore a warm beer would obviously be absorbed much faster than a cold one. Which is pointless to say, I'm sure most of us don't like to sit down and enjoy a warm beer on a hot day.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

Cheaper spirits and beers are going to contain a lot more impurities than the more costly liquors. Darker beers and rums also tend to harbor more impurities. The body has a much harder time breaking these impurities down so in essence, the lighter the drink the lighter the hangover.

TYLENOL & ASPIRIN BEFORE BED? NOT A GREAT IDEA

When combined with alcohol aspirin can irritate your stomach causing ulcers and bleeding problems. Acetaminophen..Tylenol with alcohol has been known to cause severe liver damage. As though you didn't damage it enough the night before. Lots of water or gatorade before you pass out is key. Gatorade is great because it replenishes the body of lost nutrients and electrolytes.

CONSUME PLENTY OF ANTIOXIDANTS--TOMATOES??

Believe it or not tomatoes are high in vitamins B & C. These are the bodys primary antioxidant nutrient. This is why virgin caesars, bloody marys and pizza can be great hangover remedies. Tomatoes are also high in potassium, a mineral that is lost while urinating and contributes to the DT's that your feeling. Bananas, V8, Clamato juice, and fresh strawberries are very enriched with antioxidants and are all excellent choices to consume the dreaded day after.

THE MORNING AFTER

You obviously don't want to wake up or even open your eyes for that matter. That's a good thing. Sleep as late as possible... it is one of the best known cures. Like I had to tell you.

Your head is pounding because of the extreme dehydration your body is suffering. This is no different then how you would feel if you were stranded on a desert island. The outer covering of your brain "dura matter" shrinks and causes extreme headaches.

What about all the water I drank yesterday? Remember, alcohol is a diuretic you probably urinated the majority of it out of your body. Your aches and pains should subside as soon as you replenish yourself with more.

There is probably never going to be a one hundred percent cure for a hangover, so the best thing you can do is try to stay on the preventative side of things. Eat before going out, Take multivitamins and B-12 supplements, stay as hydrated as possible, drink cold higher end liquors, and consume plenty of antioxidants. If all else fails there is always the infamous "hair of the dog" just wake up and keep on drinking. Remember, this is only a temporary solution to the problem and the dog is bound to bite back. Most likely twice as hard!

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