A nutritionist has shared her three top tips for keeping the dreaded Christmas party hangover at bay. Many of us use the festive season as an opportunity to enjoy quality time with family, friends and colleagues, and often indulge ourselves with more food and drink than usual.
The result of the traditional annual work party, or simply a gathering with loved ones, can leave us facing a nasty hangover. But there are steps we can take to reduce the suffering.
Hannah Norris, Registered Associate Nutritionist at leading health platform Omnos, said: “Ultimately, alcohol is a toxin that, no matter how it's made or what it's paired with, will always impact sleep quality, cause dehydration, blood sugar issues, inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and congestion in the liver due to a build-up of toxic products.
“However, there are steps you can take to limit the hangover, such as a boost of important vitamins and nutrients and proper rehydration.”
Here are Hannah’s key tips for managing that morning after feeling:
Top tips for dealing with the Christmas party hangover
Hydration is key.
Hannah said: “Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it promotes loss of water through more frequent urination. Ensuring we keep our body topped up with water can help minimise dehydration and speed up the recovery after a heavy night.
“One handy trick is to alternate between alcohol and water or other non-alcoholic drinks, then have a glass of water before you sleep.
“Also, try to avoid caffeinated products such as energy drinks as this can cause further dehydration and impact sleep. Often the lack of sleep is worse than the actual hangover”
Eat your veggies.
"Fibre and nutrients will help your body remove toxins quicker from the body. Artichoke and beetroot have specific polyphenols that act as secretagogues, stimulating your liver to release toxins and reduce congestion.
“Green leafy (cruciferous) vegetables, but more specifically cabbage, contain Vitamin U which may help improve digestion and give the immune system a ‘boost’.
The hangover breakfast
“Perhaps not the most appetising meal on a hangover, but a chicken salad containing leafy vegetables and a punnet of berries on the side provides a combination of protein, fats, carbohydrates and polyphenols to aid in reducing inflammation, supporting the liver, improving hydration and stabilising blood sugar regulation that alcohol will disrupt.
“It’s also a rich source of B Vitamins, which are essential for energy metabolism and are depleted when drinking alcohol.
“Lastly though, don’t be afraid to rest a little, over-exercising and insufficient sleep during this time will exhaust you, so opting for things like long walks and yoga may be helpful.”
