We could drone on about the ill-effects of alcohol consumption and what happens to your body and liver when you drink it but that won’t stop most people from their usual New Year drinking. Many of you are going to usher in 2013 with a few drinks, here are some tips so that you don’t spend the first day of the New Year with an epic hangover.
What causes hangovers?
The booze that you drink has to be converted by the liver from ethanol to acetic acid to acetate so we can release it in urine. This is done by the liver, which means it’s diverted from its primary functions like providing glucose. The effects of hangovers like nausea, vomiting, headaches and fatigue is due to this – the lack of glucose or hypoglycaemia. Glucose is also very important for our brain functions and this explains why we are lethargic and have slower cognitive function during hangovers.
Here are some things you can do before, during and after drinking to keep hangovers away.
Before drinking
It’s a very bad habit to drink on an empty stomach. Always eat something, anything. This is because the food tends to line your stomach and absorbs the booze. Some people recommend multi-vitamins because drinking saps your body of natural vitamins. In fact, a company even launched a ‘multivitamin hangover prevention patch’ which claimed to prevent hangovers before they started.
While drinking
The first thing you should keep in mind is that alcohol dehydrates you and that means you should drink copious amounts of water with your booze. Another tip you should keep in mind is how you drink. Don’t gulp down your booze and don’t get sucked into countless bottoms-ups. Never mix drinks and keep having some light snacks to soak up the booze. Have some class and nurse your drink. Also keep in mind the amount you consume, under no circumstances should you drink more than 4 units* (3 units for women). Remember that you’re drinking to celebrate, not to get wasted or stone drunk. We Indians despite not being habitual drinkers have the tendency to binge-drink.
*Alcohol-unit comparison chart
|
Alcohol |
Quantity |
Unit |
|
Beer |
330 ml |
1 |
|
Spirits (Whisky, Vodka, Tequila) |
30 ml |
1 |
|
Red wine/ White wine |
175ml |
2 |
After drinking
The first thing you should do is drink a huge glass of water and eat something preferably starchy and fatty which seems to help soak up the booze. It’s very important to do these things before dozing off.
The next day
There’s that possibility that you didn’t follow the aforementioned instructions and will feel like something the cat dragged in the next morning. The only way to get over a hangover is to re-hydrate your body. The most popular remedy by far is fluids like water, they’re necessary to rehydrate you. You could also try some other liquids like juice, sports drinks or lime juice which along with water will help replenish some of the lost nutrients.
For some people, greasy food items like burgers and pizzas work. Others swear by the good old scrambled eggs. Closer home I’ve found samosa and chutney or vada pav to be very effective.
All in all you should remember that while alcohol does lower your inhibitions and lets you enjoy your new year’s eve better, it doesn’t feel good starting the new year with an epic hangover. So, follow these tips and beat hangovers like a pro!