Heading out for a lively night might be a thrill, yet the aftermath could turn into an ordeal if you’ve not taken care to avoid a hangover, particularly after indulging a bit too much.
Experts advocate certain strategies to sidestep the headaches and queasiness that can accompany post-celebration mornings. Pre-emptive measures against hangovers include steering clear of particular foods before hitting the town, according to those in the know.
Whiskey Masters’ CEO, Daniel Ufland, suggests that careful selection of what you eat before and during your night out can mean waving goodbye to hangovers.
Daniel said: “Top of my list of foods to avoid before drinking alcohol by a long way are salty snacks, sugary foods, and dairy products. Consuming these things before imbibing with friends can be worse than unpleasant afterwards.”
Succumbing to the allure of popcorn, pretzels, or crisps may seem like a good idea mid-celebration, but they’re likely to make the following morning a tougher experience. The reason being, both salt and alcohol act to dehydrate your body, reports the Mirror.
Daniel said: “Consuming too many salty snacks can also lead to bloating and fluid retention. This prevents your body from efficiently flushing out the alcohol and can worsen hangover symptoms the next day.”
Consuming sugary foods and carbohydrates such as pasta and bread might exacerbate the effects of alcohol, since your body turns carbohydrates into sugar, leading to a potential spike and crash in blood sugar levels.
Daniel said: “This rapid change can have a big impact on how you feel while drinking. A sudden drop in blood sugar can make you feel fatigued, lightheaded, and more vulnerable to alcohol’s effects.”
He also suggests steering clear of dairy products before going out for drinks. Daniel added: “Dairy can actually slow down digestion, causing alcohol to sit in your stomach longer than usual, which may irritate the stomach lining and lead to nausea or bloating.”
Moreover, the fats and proteins found in dairy can hinder alcohol absorption, potentially delaying its effects and complicating the process of metabolising alcohol, increasing the likelihood of a more severe hangover the following day.
To avoid feeling rough the next day, Daniel advises eating foods like salmon, which is high in protein and healthy fats, or potassium-rich foods such as bananas, spinach, and avocado.
Nonetheless, the most effective measure against hangovers, Daniel insists, is drinking responsibly stay within your limits, remaining hydrated, and drink water between alcoholic beverages to mitigate any adverse effects the morning after.
He further suggested: “Ultimately, I suggest a mindful approach to eating before you drink and drinking in moderation. Doing these things can turn drinking alcohol into a discerning, enjoyable and social thing to do.”