The morning-after is always a scary phenomenon. Especially if you’ve chugged down barrels full of alcohol last night. Your head feels heavy and your mouth feels drier than the Sahara. Water’s in the kitchen, but it feels like it’s miles away. You’re kind of hungry. But the stomach is throwing tantrums. You might throw up. You grunt in pain as you analyze the consequences of your overindulgence. Your hangover is working overtime, and you only wish you could’ve prevented it. Worry not, we’ve got you covered!
The science behind hangovers is quite intriguing, but we’ll have to write another article to cover the vast topic. While hangovers cannot be prevented completely, there are a few tips and tricks that will help you prevent it to a great extent. Let’s dive deep into it.
Choose The Right Booze!
The first, and technically the most important step in preventing a heavy hangover, is choosing the right alcohol. Some alcohols play a bigger role in causing hangovers.
That is mostly because of the presence of ‘congeners’. These alcohol by-products are what mainly cause hangovers. Think of them as nasty blobs in alcohol that are determined to tamper with your cell activities and ultimately cause hangovers. Distilled alcohols contain lesser congeners, as they are more filtered. Naturally, gin, rum, and vodka have lower levels of congeners than other liquors like whiskey and tequila.
Ordering the right drink, especially if you’re a first-time drinker, will save you from a pulsating hangover. Beer, milk-based cocktails like Piña Coladas, drinks with fruit-infused flavors (like a Lemon Drop Martini) are some suggestions that could do the job quite well.
Also Read: Best Hangover Drinks To Have After A Wild Night Out
Food Before Booze Goes A Long Way
Many studies have found out that having food before drinks drastically reduces the intensity of you getting drunk, and ultimately reduces the hangover effect. The simplest explanation could be that having food before indulging in drinks fills up your stomach. That way, you’re less likely to revel in your boozy indulgence.
Food, when present in the stomach, slows down gastric emptying, and thus slows down the absorption of alcohol. Low sugar levels contribute to a few symptoms of hangover, like weakness or fatigue. Having a proper meal before indulging into drinks is likely to maintain an optimal sugar level. When it comes to food, avoid oily food, and try to switch to carbs and fats – cheese, rice, potatoes, etc. You can also keep snacking on bite-sized munchies in-between drinks to keep yourself full.
Slow And Steady Wins The Hangover (Prevention) Race
Remember – always hydrate before drinking! A thirsty soul is likely to gulp down alcohol much faster than what it can tolerate, so we recommend hydrating yourself with a non-alcoholic drink first. Water also works just fine. Once you start drinking, make sure that you have enough time between two drinks for your system to digest what’s being sent in. Make sure you don’t end up gulping down too much in one sip. We all love to impress our friends with the ‘Bottoms Up’ challenge but that doesn’t help much in preventing a hangover. So, let’s not risk it for some validation.
In between two drinks, try having a non-alcoholic drink or water. Analyze how sober or ‘unsober’ you are, and then drink accordingly.
Also Read: 7 Drinks To Order As A First-Time Drinker
Experimenting Is Not Recommended
We all have that one friend who’s down to experiment on a random Friday night. They mix up alcohols, and chug down anything and everything that they see on the bar menu. We’d strongly recommend not to be like that friend.
Different kinds of alcohol have different compositions. Some are ‘rough’ or some are ‘mild’. Mixing up different kinds of alcohol is not only likely to make you more drunk, but also might affect your health in the long run. Drinking a certain kind of drink, e.g. only beer, or vodka drinks, or gin cocktails is more beneficial than wreaking a boozy havoc in your gut.
Avoid Carbonated Drinks
Yeah, vodka with Sprite seems harmless, and one might think that mixing carbonated beverages like soda and Sprite might reduce alcohol concentration in your drinks, but science says otherwise. Carbonated drinks, in excessive amounts, are notoriously famous for expanding the surface area of your stomach due to carbonation. This gives the stomach more area to absorb alcohol. To conclude, avoid the fizz!
Keep Your Body Active While Drinking
Engaging in some physical activity while drinking is more likely to keep you in your ‘senses’, isn’t it? Try dancing like your life depends on it. Play games like ping-pong. Have fun banter with your friends and keep communicating how you feel about your sober status. It’s simple: your body spends more energy to keep you moving, while sweating throws out unnecessary fluids. Keeping your body active while drinking easily increases chances of becoming sober quicker than usual.
Restrooms Breaks Can Work Wonders
If you’re feeling the booze hit too hard, head to the restroom – your body’s way of saying, “Time for a pit stop!” Not only will you lighten the load, but club restrooms are where the real action happens. They’re your go-to pitstops for a quick detox, gossip central for the juiciest tea, and sometimes, a mini meltdown station. Picture it: a fashion runway, photo booth, therapy couch, and gossip hub all rolled into one. Who knew the restroom could be so versatile?
Also Read: 5 Anti-Hangover Indian Products You Can Buy
Summing Up!
Preventing a hangover isn’t rocket science – it’s about smart choices and self-care. Drink water, eat well, and don’t overdo it with the booze. Opt for clear spirits, and keep sipping water alongside your cocktails. If you’re savvy enough to pace yourself and crash early, you’ll dodge that dreaded morning-after headache. Ultimately, stay sharp, listen to your body, and enjoy the fun without the aftermath.
FAQs
How Do You Hydrate To Prevent A Hangover?
A useful approach when drinking alcohol is to alternate between each alcoholic beverage and a glass of water. This keeps you hydrated and may also help you limit your alcohol intake, as you’ll be consuming more liquid overall.
How Long Do Hangovers Last?
Typically, a hangover lasts from a few hours up to around 24 hours after your final drink. However, in some cases, the symptoms can persist beyond this timeframe.
What Food Is Good For A Hangover?
Carb-heavy foods like breads, rice, lentils will help stabilize blood sugars, making you feel more human and energized again.
Can You Sleep Away A Hangover?
While a good night’s sleep won’t stop a hangover from happening after heavy drinking or cure it once it starts, it can help lessen the intensity of the hangover symptoms.
Is Milk Good For A Hangover?
Although milk is beneficial for the body, it won’t help you sober up or ease a high or hangover. However, it does offer some advantages that can help alleviate certain symptoms of intoxication.
Does Coffee Help A Hangover?
Drinking coffee to cure hangovers is a myth that you no longer should believe. The caffeine is known to boost energy but it lasts for a very short time. It might increase your alertness, sure, but it surely doesn’t do anything to cure a hangover.
