Most of us are capable of enjoying a few drinks from time to time, but even the smallest of beverages can result in a bit of a hangover the following day. They're less than ideal, especially if you need to go to work or do any socialising of any kind.
While staying in bed with the curtains closed might be your cure of choice, it sadly isn't always possible, Unfortunately, the only surefire way to avoid a hangover is to not drink any alcohol.
However, Martin Seeley, the CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay has shared seven ways to make your hangover more manageable - including one specific fruit that can help alleviate the symptoms. He says you should eat pomegranate seeds before you go out drinking, as they're packed with nutrients that will help you feel better the next day.
Martin explained: "Pomegranate juice is high in antioxidants and protein, which helps restore muscles and reduces inflammation, preparing you for a night of heavy drinking. With three times more antioxidants than green tea, it’s certainly worth a try.
"Or alternatively, if you’re particularly well-prepared, drink a smoothie made of leafy greens and pomegranate seeds before you head out. Packed with nutrients and vitamins, this will prepare your body for having to restore its levels of nutrients later."
Martin's tips don't stop there, as the expert has revealed his other top pieces of advice for going out drinking whilst trying to minimise the fear the following day.
Mix your vodka with orange juice
Did you know that orange juice can neutralise congeners in vodka, which contributes to your hangover? Vodka itself has low levels of congeners compared to brandy or rum, so I’d recommend a classic vodka orange (or as it’s sometimes known, a ‘screwdriver’).
Avoid fizzy mixers
Research has shown that carbonated mixers like lemonade and coke can get you drunk much more quickly. This is because mixing your alcohol with carbonated drinks increases the rate of alcohol absorption in the blood, thanks to the gas in the bubbles. If you want to avoid a hangover in the morning, try mixing your alcohol with fruit juice, or water and a flavoured cordial.
Order drinks with ice
Staying hydrated is absolutely essential for preventing a hangover. It might not be news to you that one of the main symptoms of a hangover is thirst, so make sure you’re staying topped up with water as you’re drinking.
Alcohol causes you to urinate more and generally dehydrates you by causing your body to produce a hormone called Vasopressin. If you don’t think you’ll remember to drink a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks, order your drinks with ice.
Sip your drink slowly, and as the ice melts, your drink will be diluted. This will increase the time between refills, as well as give you a little extra hydration.
Get food on the way home
Eating after drinking can help to stabilise your glucose levels. Fatty foods can actually stop your body from absorbing too much alcohol, so eating a big meal with red meat (like a burger) before going out drinking is ideal, but a post-party kebab is okay too.
Pace yourself
The severity of your hangover will be directly related to how much you’ve had to drink. There’s no shame in pacing yourself, especially if you want to avoid feeling awful in the morning. Only 20-25% of people who drink are hangover resistant, so if you’re not one of them, you should slow down your alcohol intake.
Also, try to drink water in between alcoholic beverages. Don’t chug loads of water when you get home though, as this will cause stress to your body, and cause more damage than good. One or two glasses of water when you get home is ideal, and keep a glass near your bed for when you wake up thirsty.
Take a supplement but avoid ibuprofen
While you might be tempted to reach for some ibuprofen to prepare yourself for the inevitable headache that comes with a hangover, taking medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin can irritate your stomach.
B Vitamins and Zinc, however, have been found to help alleviate the symptoms of hangovers. Red meat is full of Zinc - another reason to enjoy a takeaway after your night out.
Research suggests that Red Ginseng can prevent a hangover, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. A Korean herbal remedy, Red Ginseng also boosts your immune system. You can find it in capsule form in many health food shops.
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