It’s no secret that Aussies love a drink or two, especially during the summer months. But we’ve also got a pretty steady hand in the kitchen. Our beautiful, multicultural land serves some of the the best cuisine in the world. To assure we’re making the most of our two favourite hobbies (eating & drinking), we checked in with Kate Nordin, a qualified nutritionist Sweden. This is the verified way to cure your hangover.
what should i eat to endure a full day of drinking?
“A lot of protein and fat are essential when you want to drink all day. Fat and protein are processed through the body more slowly, halting the alcohol levels in your bloodstream. Something like a sausage will make a big difference in how the alcohol affects your body. It protects far more than eating chips or bread or similar which are all high in carbohydrates, and easily digested by the body. You could think of protein and fat as a sponge that slows the digesting down and also prevents alcohol levels from spiking in the bloodstream.”
what food will make me more/less drunk?
“Sugary products with high amounts of carbohydrates are processed through the body very quickly. Since alcohol is a type of sugar, it adds to the fermentation process in the body. Drinking or eating food with lots of sugar like candy, sodas or white bread fills you up but the alcohol level rises quicker in your bloodstream, often making your hangover days worse.”
what’s the best thing to drink to avoid the hangover altogether?
“Dense fast food without sugar. It’s important to keep in mind that alcohol is not created equally and at the same speed. Depending on what kind of alcohol you drink, the level of blood sugar can increase at varying rates. Spirits with higher quantities of congeners (the substances in alcoholic beverages responsible for taste and aroma) are known to slow your body’s metabolism, making your hangovers worse. An ideal choice of alcoholic drink would be tequila with mineral water since tequila contains the least amount of congeners.”
how else can i avoid hangovers for the rest of my life?
“Obviously rehydrating and eating foods that slow digestion is important before going to bed after a day of drinking. Some research reflects that a certain Omega-3 in Starflower oil (aka Borage Oil, extracted from Starflower seeds) should have a great effect on your body’s adaptation to alcohol intake. One study found that it reduced hangover symptoms in 88% of participants. This Omega-3 is found in supplements and it’s recommended to take these before starting to drink.”
do hangover pills work? are they dangerous?
“There is anecdotal evidence that suggests that Magnesium, Zink and B6 – which these pills contain – can help to reduce hangovers. You can also aid your own rehydration; take juice apple juice, water and a pinch of salt and you’ll have your own hydro electrolyte drink. Over-consumption of these pills is totally unnecessary, however, these pills have not yet been proven to be harmful.”
final thoughts?
“Drink water”