Revealed: The do’s and don’ts of curing your Euros hangover
Do hangovers have you reaching for something sweet and salty to ‘boost’ your energy levels? It turns out that loading up on carbs and salty snacks is the opposite to what your body needs
Expert reveals the key DOs and DON’Ts if you’re suffering from a Euros hangover
Nutritionist answers your most Googled questions and reveals the hangover ‘superdrink’ that will help you recover QUICK!
According to Sue Jones, Director of Wellbeing & Nutrition at We Are Wellbeing:
“Dehydration is a key cause of hangovers and some of the most common hangover symptoms include headaches, nausea and tiredness. There is evidence to suggest that some people are more sensitive to dark coloured drinks such as whiskey, brandy, darker beer and red wine due to them containing larger amounts of congeners.”
Shona Wilkinson, a nutritionist from Unbeelievable Health reveals the key DOs and DON’Ts when you’re suffering from a sore head and a lack of energy (not much she can do on the beer fear, unfortunately)
HYDRATE hydrate hydrate!!
She says: “Alcohol is dehydrating and usually contains a lot of sugar so it’s important to drink lots of water before you start drinking alcohol and before you go to bed. For even better hydration, drink water that contains extra electrolyte minerals such as potassium, sodium and magnesium as these are minerals that are easily lost in sweat and urine. Coconut water such as Vita Coco Pressed is ideal for this as it naturally contains a good balance of the electrolyte minerals.”
Squeeze in a tactical nap
A late-night combined with alcohol is bound to make you feel tired and sometimes a quick nap can really help. Shona says: “Sleep can help give our body time to renew and restore itself so if you have the time to take a quick nap, it could work wonders!”
Fill up on healthy nutrients
“Filling yourself with healthy nutrients is a good idea” Shona advises. “You need to replace the nutrients that have become depleted by alcohol so foods such as vegetables, unrefined carbohydrates (e.g. brown rice, oats), and protein-rich foods are a great choice and will help you get back on track to feeling normal again.”
Foods and substances to avoid
Unhealthy fats (such as pizza, crisps and chips)
Many of us believe that junk food is the answer when it comes to ‘curing’ a hangover, but it’s actually quite the opposite.
Shona says: “Foods that contain high levels of unhealthy fats (such as fried foods and processed foods) should be avoided as our liver has to work extra hard to process these types of fats when it is already under strain from dealing with the alcohol. Unhealthy fats can also worsen any inflammation in the body.”
Sugary foods and refined carbohydrates (such as white bread, pastries and white pasta)
“These foods contain very little in the way of nutrients to replenish your stores, and actually use up more of the body’s nutrients to process them,” Shona explains.
“Alcohol is the most refined sugar and plays havoc with our body’s blood sugar (glucose) levels, sending them sky-high. The body reacts by releasing lots of insulin to take the glucose into the cells which can then cause blood sugar lows, resulting in tiredness and weakness. Eating sugary or refined foods simply perpetuates this cycle.”
Coffee
Although it’s a popular remedy when you’re looking to sober up and recover after the night before, Shona advises that coffee is not the answer when it comes to a hangover: “Although you may think that it will give you energy, coffee can also contribute to dehydration. A better alternative is coconut water or water with electrolyte concentrate added as this will help aid recovery.”
Even more alcohol!
Don’t believe the myth ‘hair of the dog’! Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, Shona states that this doesn’t work, but just prolongs the hangover.
DO whip up a perfect hangover ‘superdrink’
Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy shares the perfect concoction of ingredients to create a hangover ‘superdrink’ for quick recovery
Your questions answered
Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, Dr Deborah Lee answers your most Googled hangover questions(1):
Will throwing up help a hangover?
Being sick won’t help when you’re suffering with a hangover. Dr Lee reveals why: “When you drink alcohol, it’s very quickly absorbed from the stomach into your bloodstream, so vomiting now will make very little difference to your blood alcohol level.
“To get over a hangover you need to be rehydrated. Vomiting makes you more dehydrated, so this is totally counterproductive.”
Will eating help a hangover?
Eating a good breakfast can help a hangover. According to Dr Lee: “When you wake up with a hangover, your blood sugar levels will be low which can make you feel lethargic, weak, and may give you a headache. Alcohol also reduces the ability of your kidneys to absorb water, meaning you pass more urine, and become dehydrated. It can also cause an electrolyte imbalance, meaning your sodium and potassium levels are disturbed.
“Eat some carbohydrates for energy, try to replace vitamins and minerals, eat some protein and avoid fatty, oily food and salty food if you can. Coconut water has been shown in medical studies to be an excellent choice when you need rehydration as it contains high levels of electrolytes, is less acidic and has a relatively low sugar content.”
Why do I get a two day hangover?
Typically, hangover symptoms last around 24 hours, so why do some of us suffer for even longer?!
“During the time after drinking, alcohol is being broken down to acetaldehyde, and this is thought to be a major reason for the misery of hangover symptoms. However, some people metabolise acetaldehyde more slowly, and the toxic effects can remain even after blood alcohol levels have reached zero. This means your hangover lasts longer,” Dr Lee advises.
“Don’t forget the role of congeners. These are biologically active compounds, added to alcoholic drinks to affect the taste, smell, or appearance and maybe metabolised more slowly.”
