Jen's Journal
Friday, January 02, 2004
Hangovers and the New Year
There is NO CURE FOR HANGOVERS. That said, let's look at hangovers and, through understanding, see if we can survive the holiday season.
First of all, what causes hangovers? Drinking alcohol, huh? No, seriously, there is actually a theory behind it.
Dehydration is one of the main results of excessive drinking. This is because alcohol is a diuretic, which means it's a drug that increases urination and flushes fluids from the body. The body reacts to this lack of water by taking it from other areas, such as the brain, which is one reason why hangovers are associated with headaches.
Secondly, alcohol drains the body of the substances required to stay healthy, including blood sugar, vitamins and minerals. Now you know why you crave carbs the next morning!
Thirdly, another cause of hangovers is mild poisons in the drink. Complex organic molecules such as methanol and acetone are found in some drinks and are said to be responsible for hangovers, rather than the alcohol itself. Some of these can actually cause allergic reactions.
But, fear not! Although there is no hangover cure as such, we can give you tips on how to reduce hangovers. Here's 5 useful tips to remember during the drinking process!
1) Eat Lots of food
Yes seriously, you should know this already, but in case you don't, never drink on an empty stomach. The food in your system will act as a way to slow the absorption of alcohol. Fats and carbohydrates are best for slowing absorption. This really will reduce the effects of the hangover. Even after drinking, you will find that a nice big breakfast helps ease your queasiness.
2) Drink plenty of water
Drink loads of water before you start drinking and before you go to bed. Although this won't cure the hangover, it will help to reduce the effects of dehydration. Fruit juices are also good because they replace fluids and are a good source of carbs, but stay away from caffeine. Coffee, tea, cola products, and other caffeinated drinks is also diuretics.
3) Avoid mixing drinks and stay away from certain drinks
Avoid mixing alcohols. Also drink clear alcohol. Dark alcohol is more likely to cause hangover symptoms because it contains substances called congeners. Congeners are toxic substances created during the alcohol fermentation process. When you drink alcohol, these toxins are dispersed into your system as your liver breaks down the alcohol. While congeners are not the sole cause of a hangover, they do seem to contribute in some manner to the quality of the hangover. Knowing something about the level of congeners in your chosen alcoholic beverage may help you determine how ill it might make you. In general, the fermentation and distillation processes determine the amount of congeners in the end product. Lower levels of congeners may mean a kinder, gentler hangover. . . if there is such a thing. More expensive alcohol generally contains fewer congeners because it undergoes a more rigorous distillation process that filters out a higher percentage of the congeners. (Certain liquors may actually distilled three or four times.) Darker colored drinks, such as whiskey, brandy and red wine have more congeners than lighter drinks such as vodka, gin and white wine.
4) Exercise
If you danced the night away, you may have already reduced the nightmare of the next morning. Some light exercise the next day will also help. Nothing strenuous, but a walk in the fresh air can help metabolize the alcohol.
5) Mental
This part is quite simple. Think about what you're doing. Think about how fattening the alcohol is, think about the hangover to come, think how hungry you will be. Many times, this will give you the willpower to stop at a couple of drinks.
Happy New Year and safe partying!
