It’s no surprise that after drinking alcohol, the next morning is usually spent regretting the amount of pints or glasses of wine consumed, thanks to a horrible hangover. There is always that one friend who has an antidote they swear by (a fry-up, perhaps?) to this unpleasantness. But do these hangover cures really work? Let’s check out a list of the best foods to eat before drinking and understand how they can help our bodies to recover from a hangover.
1. Water
Alcohol has a tendency to dehydrate the body and makes us feel groggy as our body gets deprived of the nutrients and water that it requires to carry out essential bodily functions. This causes us to feel disoriented, or in easy terms, makes our head spin which eventually leads to headaches. A good way to prevent this would be to consume 2-4 glasses of water before drinking the night away as it would keep the water balance of the body intact.
2. Greek Yoghurt
Greek yoghurt is the one best thing to eat before drinking alcohol as it contains proteins in high levels which helps slow the absorption of alcohol in the body. The yoghurt is also said to be rich in fats and carbohydrates, which further nourishes the body with essential nutrients and inhibits the rise of alcohol levels in the bloodstream. This helps maintain energy and also aids in maintaining blood sugar levels.
3. Asparagus
Studies suggest that asparagus acts as a great prevention method for hangovers. It has been found that asparagus contains high levels of amino acids and minerals which help in the recovery of the liver. The damage caused due to excessive drinking is minimised as asparagus helps to alleviate the toxins from the body.
4. Eggs
An egg is a great cure for hangovers. The egg is extremely high in protein which helps to reduce the rate of absorption of alcohol by the body. It also is rich in amino acids (especially cysteine) which helps the body to break down alcohol, which in turn can help to reduce the severity of the hangover.
5. Chicken
Chicken tops the list! A no-brainer remedy, chicken is a great source of protein and, similar to eggs, helps to slow the body’s alcohol absorption rate. As chicken takes its sweet time to be digested by the body, it acts as a barrier and prevents the rapid metabolism of alcohol. This results in less chances of a hangover. Hurrah!
6. Bananas
This list couldn’t be complete without everyone’s favourite: the banana. Bananas are a rich source of potassium (an electrolyte) which is essential for maintaining blood pressure, function of the nervous system and muscles, fluid regulation, and more. The human body loses potassium when we drink alcohol, so eating potassium-rich food (in this case, a banana) can restore the electrolyte levels in the body.
Which foods to avoid before drinking
Now that we have covered the foods that should be eaten before a drinking session, it is also important for us to know about what foods you might want to avoid. Not all foods are a good complement to alcohol, and some may make matters worse. Items like sushi can be a great example here as salt (from soy sauce) dehydrates the body (similar to alcohol), exacerbating the symptoms of a hangover – you definitely won’t be smiling the next morning!. Infact, a side of greasy fries and spicy chicken wings can also result in an upset stomach when consumed with alcohol.
When’s your next drinking session?
All in all, a hangover is a result of multiple factors but is mostly linked to dehydration and diet. Hence, keeping a check on your pre-drink meal would definitely help reduce the chances of waking up with a headache. However, if everything goes to town, you can always keep a pair of black shades and a bottle of green juice handy, like our beloved Lady Gaga!
And here’s a quick reminder for all. Binge drinking has several risks to your long-term health. As such, we urge you to drink responsibly and stay safe!
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