Regardless of the results of studies of the properties of alcohol and its positive effects on our body, it is well known that alcohol in excess is harmful. The best way to avoid the unpleasant consequences of alcohol abuse (i.e. the so-called hangover) is to drink alcohol in appropriate amounts.
A hangover happens differently for everyone. Most likely, acetaldehyde is his main culprit. When alcohol begins to break down, a sober process begins, unfortunately, the formation of acetaldehyde, which also means the onset of a hangover. There are many myths about alcohol and how to avoid or overcome a hangover. Here are a few examples of the most common hangover myths and facts.
If a hangover, then only after a lot of alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption will certainly lead to a hangover. However, this does not mean that you need to drink a bottle of wine in order to feel bad the next day. The reaction of our body to alcohol consumption depends on many factors: general health, phase of the ovulation cycle, level of fatigue and stress.
Painkillers taken in the evening prevent a hangover
Mixing any medication with alcohol is not a good idea – they increase the risk of liver damage when drinking alcohol. In addition, painkillers work about 4 hours after they are taken. Better to put a pill and a glass of water next to the bed and drink it after waking up.
Coffee is the best way to hangover
This is one of the most harmful myths. Coffee, or rather, the caffeine contained in it, has a dehydrating effect on the body (which in any case is already dehydrated) and as a result enhances the symptoms of a hangover. The best solution is to avoid all caffeinated drinks this day. Consumption of water, diluted juices or isotonic drinks, which can make up for the lack of vitamins and minerals, will bring better results. It will also be useful, for example, tomato juice or tomatoes (containing potassium), broth (to fill in the lack of sodium and potassium), cranberry juice with honey (narrows blood vessels), sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers and their juice (vitamin C).
Food before bed minimizes a hangover
Eating after drinking alcohol will not help you escape a hangover. It is better to eat a hearty meal before the party begins. Then a full stomach will slow down the effects of alcohol. The most effective are fatty dishes. However, after the event and before going to bed, drink a glass of water to resist dehydration.
Strong drink after waking up
This is another myth that does more harm than good. In fact, a strong drink, after waking up, adds alcohol or poison, from which our body is trying to cleanse itself. After this, the symptoms of a hangover will occur with some delay.
5 minutes sobriety
A cold shower and a few cups of coffee will not make you sober. Your body needs only more time, and this is mainly responsible for improving your well-being. How much you need to regain your strength depends on individual conditions and body weight.
Women get drunk faster than men
How does alcohol affect our body? It depends on gender, body weight, medications, general health and diet. In women, alcohol enters the blood faster and is excreted more slowly (since there is a smaller amount of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol).
Some additional practical tips and information
Before a party with alcohol, it is worth strengthening the liver (whose task is to cleanse the body of toxic compounds in the body) with a variety of foods. These may include apples, dark grapes, carrot juice or garlic. Do not forget that you can not mix different types of alcohol. If we smoke, we must reduce smoking because nicotine increases the state of alcohol poisoning. You should also avoid chips, peanuts, and salty sticks that irritate the stomach. It is better to eat meat, pickles, vegetables or cheese.
It is also worth paying attention to the composition of alcohol that we consume. In addition to ethanol, it contains many toxic components, such as dyes. Therefore, it is best to choose white alcohol, such as pure vodka, gin or white wine. Colored drinks, drunk in large quantities, often cause more unpleasant ailments the next day. The type of food that we eat the next day should help restore and return our body to normal. The breakfast we eat should consist of easily digestible products, that is, granola, yogurt, fruits and nuts.
To avoid bad breath, you can use bay leaf and suck it until it is soft. During the day you need to take a nap, because then the body is faster and better restored.
