We don't care what your excuse was... you know you drank more than you needed to and now you are paying for it. Hangovers can wreak havoc on your body and may stick around for up to 24 hours, depending on how much you drink. As you get older, these seem to last more like two or three days, really impacting your productivity. While practicing moderation or abstinence would be the ultimate way of avoiding a hangover, sometimes even the most controlled and logical of us will stray.
Simple yet very effective. Among some of the major hangover culprits, dehydration is definitely number one. Alcohol dehydrates your body of fluids, therefore sipping away on water to rehydrate your body cells is key; the more fluids you replace, the better you will feel. If tap water isn’t usually your thing, coconut water is a great alternative that provides additional strength for fighting the hangover with its rich content of electrolytes. Coconut water replenishes a healthy electrolyte balance AND restores hydration in your cells.
Studies have shown low levels of magnesium to be linked to headaches and migraines. Your magnesium levels can often become depleted by alcohol consumption. Therefore magnesium-rich foods (dark leafy greens, whole grains, avocados, bananas and more) or a magnesium supplement can help to relieve that horrible alcohol headache. Another way to get more magnesium is to run yourself a bath with plenty of magnesium-rich Epsom salts. Ahhh… Bliss.
Alcohol is known to disrupt your REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep, which is considered the most restorative type of sleep. With less REM sleep, you’re more likely to wake up feeling groggy, fatigued and unfocused. While drinking alcohol before bed might help you fall asleep quickly, it ends up having the opposite effect as time goes on. Sleep deprivation only exacerbates a hangover’s misery, so aim for at least eight hours of sleep after a liquid night out.
Among its long list of health benefits, a key benefit of green tea is its ability to assist your over-working liver. It is also rich in a compound called L-theanine, which is known to stimulate brainpower; something you could also likely benefit from with a hangover.
Everyone reacts to alcohol a little differently, but if you're someone who gets nauseated, ginger is the way to go. Studies have supported the idea that ginger can reduce feelings of nausea, so brew yourself some ginger tea and grate some fresh ginger on top for a little extra spice.
This is one of our faves, as we just love getting a green juice in every day. Starting your day off with something that is alkalising, detoxifying, nourishing and easily digested is one of the easiest things you can do to combat a hangover. This has got to be the second-best hangover cure, right after not drinking at all!
Dietary protein plays a key role in liver detoxification, blood sugar regulation and immune protection. A great way to get sufficient protein into your bod with a hangover is with a protein-rich omelette or scrambled eggs. When you drink alcohol, your liver (with the help of some specific antioxidants and enzymes) breaks down the ethanol into a compound called acetaldehyde, which is classified as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
When there is more acetaldehyde in the body than normal, it causes a lot of the classic hangover symptoms. In other words: hangovers aren't just due to dehydration. To counteract this build-up of acetaldehyde, we can turn to cysteine, which is one of the substances that help break down this compound in the body. Luckily, cysteine is present in eggs, which is why scrambled eggs are the perfect choice for breakfast.
Sulfur is a mineral that plays a significant role in detoxification, so eating sulfur-rich foods can help speed up the process of saying goodbye to your hangover. Eggs, onion, garlic, broccoli and cauliflower are our favourite sulfur-rich foods. If you can’t quite stomach a green juice or a protein smoothie, whip up an omelette filled with sulfur-rich veggies.
Source: I.Am.Co