How to help Reduce a Hangover

When we drink alcohol, it's absorbed into our bloodstream, and metabolized by the liver. The liver can only process so much alcohol at a time, and this leaves the excess to circulate through the body.This is where we get a hangover. This excess alcohol can lead to dehydration, inflammation and contribute to those hangover symptoms like headaches, fatigue, nausea, brain fog, sore joints and more.

 So whatever the occasion if you are going to have a few drinks (or maybe more) here are some easy ways you can reduce your chances of getting the next day hangover. 

Six ways to help reduce a hangover

1. You’ve heard it before you will hear it again because it is very much needed. Drink your water. Alcohol dehydrates the body, so you want to counter this by drinking water not only before drinking but throughout your time drinking as well. Water will also help eliminate any toxins. So if you are out somewhere or at home, have some water between drinks or even add lemon for some extra help to your liver.

2. Reduce the amount of sugar you consume the day of and while drinking . It's not always the alcohol that gives us a hangover. It can be the additives and the other drinks associated with it. Along with alcohol, sugar is also inflammatory, acts as a nervous system stimulant and our blood sugar plays a huge role in our moods. Try swapping sugary drinks for vodka water with fresh squeezed citrus. 

3. Nutrients such as b vitamins, magnesium and zinc can be depleted when we are  drinking alcohol. Try taking a multivitamin or these nutrients before drinking or the next day if needed.

4. Eat healthy throughout the day before having some drinks and the day after. Eating junk or sugary foods will deepen the burden on the liver and make it work twice as hard, also making it twice as slow. The nutrients that you eat throughout the day will help you recover faster from drinking. Add in some fermented foods for bonus points as alcohol reduces healthy flora in the body. Adding this back into your system you are more likely to recover faster.

5. Having some apple cider vinegar before drinking (and if you can stomach it after drinking) can help increase the alkalinity in the body as alcohol creates a more acidic environment.

6. Sleep it off or sweat it out. Sweating and sleeping both help the body move and expel toxins. Having a good sleep before or after a night of drinking along with a sweat can help you get back on track.

Save these tips for when you are going to have a night out, (or a night in) with a few drinks and give yourself the best chance at reducing a hangover, or speeding up its recovery.