Science has taken its sweet time coming up with a solution to the biggest weekend killer since the beginning of time, but we’ve done some digging and come up with a few preventative measures, backed by the most solid scientific research out there.
Here’s a step-by-step guide so you’ll never get a hangover again! (Hopefully…)
Before You Hit The Town
Eat something. Alcohol makes you drunk because it absorbs into your blood. Having a full meal (with fibre!) will slow down the absorption of the nasties into your bloodstream so you don’t get hit too hard. Sticking to low-GI foods means your meal will take you all the way to last call.
At The Bar
Stay away from the dark stuff. They’re laden with congeners, a chemical produced during the fermentation process of alcohol — and they’re responsible for your worst morning-afters. The darker the drink, the bigger the hangover. And word to the wise, there’s no scientific backing that the liquor-before-beer rule actually works, so skip it entirely.
READ MORE: How Long Does A Hangover Last, Anyway?
Before The Next Round
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates your system, leaving you with that dry mouth feeling the next morning. The solution is pretty simple, given you can remember it: drink a cup of water between each drink — it’ll combat the dehydration of the booze.
Before You Pass Out
Drink one more gallon of water (just in case) and pop some anti-inflammatories. Researches in Korea picked up that hungover subjects have high levels of a chemical, typically produced when a foreign invader is found in your system. Translation: your body thinks it’s under attack, and becomes inflamed to fight back. Popping a pill beforehand could reduce the likeliness that you’ll feel crappy tomorrow.
READ MORE: The Nutritionist’s Guide To Actually Surviving A Killer Hangover
When You Wake Up
Uh oh… still feeling like you got hit by a truck and imbibed some minion from hell? Time to bring out the big guns: fresh lemon and hot water. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory, and it also acts as a neutraliser to the fiery pit of acid in your stomach. It’s also known to flush out those toxins (ahem, tequila shots…). Chug it down and your upset stomach could feel better.
