We’ve all been there—the fun night out that leads to the dreaded hangover the next morning. But what if you could avoid that hangover altogether? While there’s no magic trick to completely escape the effects of alcohol, there are definitely things you can do to minimise the damage. From choosing the right drinks to eating the right foods, let’s dive into the best tips for preventing a hangover and ensuring that your next morning is as pleasant as possible.
The Science of a Hangover
Before we dive into prevention, it’s important to understand what causes a hangover. When you drink alcohol, it dehydrates your body, depletes essential nutrients, and messes with your blood sugar levels. Alcohol also produces a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde as your liver metabolises it, which can lead to headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Knowing this, our goal is to stay hydrated, nourished, and avoid the toxic overload as much as possible. So, how do we do that?
Drinks That Minimise Hangovers
While the only sure way to avoid a hangover is not to drink, the type of alcohol you choose can make a big difference. Here are some tips on which drinks to go for, and which to avoid:
- Avoid Dark Liquors: Darker spirits like bourbon, rum, and red wine contain more congeners, which are byproducts of fermentation that can worsen hangovers. Stick to clear spirits like vodka, gin, and white wine, as they tend to have fewer congeners.
- Stay Away from Fizzy Mixers: It might surprise you, but fizzy mixers like tonic water or cola can speed up the absorption of alcohol, making you feel its effects more quickly. Instead, opt for still mixers like juice or water.
- Hydration Is Key: Drink water between your alcoholic drinks to slow down your intake and keep your body hydrated. Better yet, aim for a hydration-focused drink like coconut water or electrolyte drinks throughout the night.
What to Eat Before Drinking
The food you eat before and during drinking can play a huge role in how your body handles alcohol. Eating before drinking slows down the absorption of alcohol, giving your liver more time to process it. Here are some pre-drinking snack ideas:
- Carbs Are Your Friend: Foods rich in complex carbohydrates, like whole grain bread, pasta, or rice, will help slow down alcohol absorption. They’re also great for keeping your blood sugar stable, which helps prevent the dips that make you feel groggy.
- Healthy Fats: Foods like avocado, nuts, or even a small amount of olive oil can help slow the alcohol entering your bloodstream. These healthy fats create a sort of barrier in your stomach, making it harder for alcohol to pass through.
- Protein Power: Adding protein-rich foods like eggs or lean meats to your meal can also help delay alcohol’s effects, giving your liver more time to metabolise the alcohol effectively.
Eating During the Night
If you find yourself getting peckish while drinking, don’t worry—snacking while drinking can help prevent a hangover too. Light, frequent snacks are a good idea. opt for mildly flavoured carbohydrates like crackers, whole grain toast, or vegetable sticks, which won’t upset your stomach but will help your body deal with the alcohol more effectively. Foods rich in potassium, like bananas, can help replenish the potassium you lose while drinking.
Before You Go to Bed: Final Hangover Prevention Tips
Once you’re back home after a night out, there are still a few things you can do to prevent a nasty hangover in the morning.
- Rehydrate: Drink a glass of water before going to bed. You can also keep a bottle of electrolyte water or Dioralyte by your bedside in case you wake up thirsty during the night.
- Take an After Party Patch: Our After Party Hangover Patches are a great way to prevent hangover symptoms. Apply a patch before bed, and it will work while you sleep to rehydrate you, detoxify your liver, and replenish lost nutrients. If you’re cautious, you can even wear one before heading out.
- Eat a Light Snack: A banana or whole grain toast before bed can help stabilise your blood sugar, making sure you don’t wake up feeling shaky or nauseous.
The Next Morning: Recovery Plan
If, despite your best efforts, you still wake up with a hangover, don’t worry—there are still ways to speed up recovery:
- Start with Water: Rehydration is the number one priority. Sip water or coconut water to replenish lost electrolytes.
- Light Breakfast: Even if you don’t feel like eating, it’s important to get something in your stomach. Try a light breakfast with eggs, toast, and some fruit juice to give your body a nutrient boost.
- Skip the Coffee: While it’s tempting to reach for a cup of coffee, caffeine can actually make dehydration worse. If you need something warm, try ginger tea instead to help with nausea.
FAQs
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What’s the best way to prevent a hangover?
Staying hydrated, eating before drinking, and pacing yourself are the best ways to reduce the likelihood of a hangover. Dark liquors and fizzy mixers should be avoided if you’re particularly prone to hangovers. -
Can food really prevent a hangover?
Yes! Eating the right foods before and during drinking can help slow down alcohol absorption, stabilise blood sugar, and replenish essential nutrients. -
How do After Party Hangover Patches work?
After Party Patches deliver Glutathione and NAC through the skin to help your liver detoxify and replenish nutrients. They provide steady, long-lasting support throughout the night, working while you sleep. -
Are there any drinks that can reduce hangover symptoms?
Coconut water, electrolyte drinks, and ginger tea can all help reduce hangover symptoms by rehydrating the body and soothing the stomach.