Being hungover is not fun. But going out with your pals for a drink (or two) can be! So, besides keeping track of your moderation monitor (let's be honest here, it isn't always an easy task!) what else can you do to ensure you don't wake up feeling like absolute death?
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First thing you must know is that when it comes to heavy drinking, keeping tabs on your nutrition is probably the smartest thing you go do for yourself. What you eat and drink before a night out can heavily determine the way you feel the following day. So what exactly are the best things to consume right before things getting a little blurry?
Dr Kathryn O'Sullivan, a Nutrition Scientist for BIOMES, who specialises in good gut health explains that:
The sad truth is there's no real 'cure' for a hangover, but there are certainly ways to help lessen its impact and hasten recovery. Re-hydration, blood sugar levels and your gut health are the main areas to focus on.
What (not) to drink?
As a general rule of thumb, you should be consuming at least one pint of water before you go out at night. Hydration is key and this will become easier to achieve with the more water you are drinking throughout the day.
An alternative to water would be to drink natural fruit juices and/or kombucha. By doing so, you are topping up your vitamin Clevels that are often depleted by alcohol. What's more, the gut friendly fermented tea will do wonders for your stomach and prevent unpleasant bloating to happen.
On the other hand, you should avoid sugary drinks and coffee as this will only contribute to the dehydration that is already going to happen by drinking alcohol.
What (not) to eat?
You definitely want to stock up on healthy fats as a way to keep your stomach lined for longer and slowing the rate the alcohol will be absorbed into your blood. Eating salmon, avocado and nuts are good options.
Another thing to keep in mind is to consume foods that are directly beneficial to your liver such as turmeric, cinnamon, kale, broccoli, beetroot, avocado and lemon.
Finally, opt for a plant-based diet as this tends to be easier for your stomach to digest.
