Ahhh, New Year's Eve … That time of year when drinks flowing freely are a built-in tradition, a bubbly, sparkly part of the celebration. No matter what your vice of choice is before the clock strikes midnight — be it a Resolution Cocktail or champagne cupcakes or even just good ol' fashioned beer — we all occasionally have the tendency to overdo it. Or find out that even a couple of glasses of wine is "overdoing" it, as far as our tolerance is concerned. And then we pay for it the next day. Ugh, such a bummer.
But it doesn't have to be that way! Although they may all sound like total old wives' tales, there are some legit, science-proven ways to prevent a hangover and cure one, too …
- Eat asparagus. While it may not be your fave side dish, research by the Institute of Medical Science, and Jeju National University in South Korea, found that amino acids and minerals in the veggie may alleviate hangover symptoms and protect liver cells against toxins. This only serves to confirm what researchers at Cheju National University School of Medicine in Korea found: Asparagus is high in amino acids that stimulate enzyme functions, which accelerate the breakdown of alcohol in the body. Awesome!
- Try this safeguarding pre-party snack … Hummus (or other bean dip) spread on multigrain toast, avocado, and apple juice. Dietitian Azmina Govindji tells The Daily Mail this dish works to guard against a hangover, because beans, avocado, and grains release energy slowly to prevent hunger and a fall in blood sugar levels caused by alcohol. Meanwhile, apple juice helps you stay hydrated and contains vitamin C, which is often depleted by drinking.
- Stick to certain types of booze. If you steer toward alcohol like vodka and gin, aka those with fewer congeners, you'll be less likely to have a hangover than if you drink beverages with more congeners, like brandy and whiskey, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Drink … pickle juice?! Even less appetizing an option than asparagus, but Russians and Eastern Europeans swear it makes them feel better after a night of boozin' it up. Supposedly it works because the excess amount of sodium in pickles essentially provides a buildup of water in your body, water you need when so dehydrated from drinking.
- Drink water while you're drinking. Swigging a full glass of water with every cocktail/glass of wine/beer, etc. will guard against a hangover. Also smart: Before going to bed, down 16 to 20 ounces of water, Mayo Clinic experts recommend.
- Cure your hangover with another "cocktail" — of vitamins! If you fail to prevent one altogether and wake up feeling woozy in the a.m., try taking calcium, magnesium, and a complete B supplement and drinking A LOT of water.
What do you do to avoid or cure a hangover?
Image via Oskay/Flickr
