On January 1, New Year's Eve drinkers around the world mourn International Hangover Day.
The celebration of the sad holiday began in the UK in 2001. Then on January 1, the manufacturer Bayer HealthCare launched an advertising campaign for a hangover cure. On this date, people share hangover cure recipes and funny moments related to celebrating the New Year.
Having a hangover the day after New Year's Eve is not the dream start of the year and many regret their indulgence.
Alcohol is a toxin that our body metabolizes at a certain pace. When the rate of alcohol consumption exceeds the rate at which the liver can process it, we become intoxicated and the risk of a hangover becomes significantly higher.
As the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces the toxic chemical acetaldehyde.
One of the substances the body produces to counteract these toxins is glutathione.
The more we drink, the faster we deplete it. Since glutathione is a stimulant, when it runs out, we feel tired.
Alcohol promotes the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Excessive amounts of hydrochloric acid lead to nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Alcohol is a diuretic. Dehydration leads to pain and the aforementioned stomach upset.
How to prevent a hangover?
Eat foods rich in fat and protein before or during your first drink - this slows down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Food does not act like a sponge, soaking up alcohol, but it slows down the digestive process. Fats and especially proteins take longer to digest, and alcohol will be released into the bloodstream more slowly.
Drink a glass of water between two drinks. Hydration dilutes the alcohol, giving the liver time to process and replace lost fluids.
The only surefire cure for a hangover is time and plenty of fluids.