We were all there! Throbbing headache, upset stomach, dry mouth. Even if last night looked like a good idea, today your body certainly doesn’t appreciate it! The only real way to avoid a hangover is to avoid drinking alcohol, but some foods can slightly relieve symptoms and make the next day a little more tolerable.
Coconut water
Coconut water is one of the most hydrating liquids you can drink. Many athletes use it not for electrolyte drinks or water, but for hydration during exercise. One of the main causes of a hangover is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic that urinates more often and removes water and certain electrolytes from the body. Coconut water contains an excellent balance of both, which can help hydrate and help break down alcohol in the body.[1]
lime
When you drink alcohol, your body tries to break it down through the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. Studies show that lime can improve the body’s ability to make this enzyme and speed up the breakdown of alcohol remaining in the system.[1] Unfortunately, eating lime alone in a nauseous stomach may be a little too much! Instead, mix lime juice with coconut water to improve hydration and alcohol breakdown.
Ginger
Ginger has been used for centuries to help treat nausea, and scientific research seems to support this benefit.[2] Ginger can also have long-term effects on the body, as some studies have tentatively suggested that it may be useful in the treatment of alcoholic fatty liver disease.[3] Combine this with its anti-inflammatory properties and you will pick me up in a wonderful early morning. The easiest way to get ginger is to grate the thumbnail length and swallow it with water.
Leafy vegetables
Leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are another type of food that helps break down alcohol by increasing the production of alcohol dehydrogenase.[1] They also contain significant levels of magnesium and potassium, which can be low after spending the night with a drink. Studies show that leafy vegetables may help liver health in the long run. That is, as part of a regular diet, the liver may be more efficient at removing alcohol from the body.[4]
Pear
Studies in animals suggest that juice from Asian pears can help increase alcohol hydrogenase and reduce symptoms.[3] Few studies have a direct effect on humans, but one study has shown that pears can significantly reduce headaches after drinking alcohol when mixed with other fruits.[5] More research is needed, but the signs that it may help alleviate the symptoms of a hangover are optimistic.
Obviously, if you don’t want to have a hangover, do your best not to drink! However, if it’s too late, some of the symptoms may be alleviated depending on what you eat. Not only this, these options are a healthy addition to most diets, so there is no harm in trying them out.
reference:
- “Food Effects on Hangover Based on Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activities”, Shraddha Srinivasan, Kriti Kumari Dubey, and Rekha S. Singhal, September 17, 2019, Current research in food science..
DOI: 10.1016 / j.crfs.2019.09.001 - “Farm to Town Ginger: Nutrition and Pharmacological Applications” Jeremiah Osimame Unuofin, Nerishiwe Plenate Mask, Orwatomiwa Kehinde Paimo, Sogoro Lucky Lebero, November 26, 2021 Pharmacology frontier..
DOI: 10.3389 / fphar.2021.779352 - “Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Hangover and Alcohol Use Disorders”, Fang Wang, Ya Li, Yu-Jie Zhang, Yue Zhou, Sha Li, Hua-Bin Li, January 7, 2016, molecule..
DOI: 10.3390 / molecules21010064 - June 28, 2015, “Complementary and Alternative Therapy for Liver Disease 2014” by Yong-Song Guan Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine..
DOI: 10.1155 / 2015/824185 - “Effects of Fruit and Vegetable Mixed Juice on Alcoholic Alcohol Hangover in Healthy Adults”, Kim Min-ju, Lim Sang-wook, Kim Jung-hyun, Choi Da-jung, Kim Jung-in, Kang Min-jung, 2018, Preventive nutrition and food science..
DOI: 10.3746 / pnf.2018.23.1.1