5 tips to cure a hangover

Summer is the season of the year that provides us with the most parties and gatherings. The pleasant climate and the long days take us to the terraces and socializing with friends and family. Conversations extend and the heat calls for cool drinks that are accompanied by snacks and long meals. Sometimes, the relaxation typical of this time of year leads us to commit excesses, both with regard to eating habits and with regard to the consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco. As such, even if intoxicated by the festive environment that surrounds us, we quickly realize what are the signs of what awaits us further ahead when we engage in this type of behavior: a hangover.

A hangover comprises both physical and mental symptoms that are usually triggered by our organism when there are signs of dehydration, when there is a deficit in the energy-producing metabolism and when, in turn, the liver is not sufficiently capable of metabolizing and eliminating all toxic substances to which it was exposed.

Hangover symptoms are, for example, headaches, nausea, and excessive thirst or dry mouth feeling. This happens mainly because, in the case of excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, during the process of hepatic metabolism, compounds even more toxic than alcohol (acetaldehyde) are formed, which then cause this known state of lethargy.

However, in addition to the symptoms described, others of increased severity can also occur when drinking alcohol. This is because liver saturation can lead to impairment of other functions performed by this organ, such as ensuring that during fasting, the transformation of glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis) occurs and that the mechanism of glucose production through proteins and lipids (gluconeogenesis) proceeds normally. When this does not happen, our body is no longer able to effectively control the glycemic index, as it no longer uses its “reserves”, which can trigger severe hypoglycemia.

So what are the five key tips for mitigating the side effects of a hangover?

1. Ingest an adequate amount of liquids

The supply of liquids to our body will not only alleviate its state of dehydration but will also facilitate the excretion of ketone bodies and organic acids.

2. Replace mineral salts

Sometimes, it may also be necessary to replenish the levels of salts such as magnesium and potassium, because excessive alcohol consumption leads to a reduction in the production of a hormone (antidiuretic hormone) that is responsible for the reabsorption of water in the kidneys. As such, when drinking alcoholic beverages, there is a diuretic effect that naturally leads to more frequent urination and, therefore, not only to the loss of a considerable volume of water but also to a lack of mineral salts.

3. Ingest glucose

It is important that the body's balance is restored. Glucose stimulates the release of insulin and is responsible for synthesizing the compounds that allow us to have the energy to perform all our daily tasks. Therefore, it is important to ingest fast-absorbing sugars in order to restore normal blood glucose levels and, subsequently, prolonged absorption to avoid fluctuations in the glycemic index.

4. Rest your body and mind

It is important to give the body time and rest so that it can recover and return to its normal state, both physically and psychologically. Rest in a comfortable, adequately ventilated, and quiet place.

5. Having an ally in supplementation

In addition to, essentially, having addressed tips to cure a hangover triggered by the consumption of alcoholic beverages, the truth is that supplementation is crucial both in these cases and when there are food excesses, since the principle of intoxication is the same: overload of toxins that our liver encounters.

For this reason, it is essential to help the liver in its mission. How? Detoxifying him.

Glucuronolactone is an example of a substance that facilitates the elimination of toxins, due to their association with them. But it is not the only one! It is known that associating substances such as silymarin (which also contributes to liver detoxification) and taurine (which repairs damaged tissues) to a vitamin complex (vitamin C and vitamin B complex) contributes both to protecting cells from undesirable oxidation and to alleviate tiredness and fatigue.

Allied to these substances, caffeine is always an excellent option. As it is a psychostimulant, it increases concentration and alertness, improving physical and mental capacity, so you can feel refreshed quickly.

These substances can be found in several products, but allow me to highlight Absorvit Refresh Detox and Guronenergy, since these are dietary supplements that act quickly to relieve symptoms associated with food and alcohol excesses and give it a refreshing and revitalizing action.

I hope these tips have been helpful to you. Eat properly, drink in moderation, protect yourself from the sun and heat and celebrate every day the best that this season has to offer.

See you in the next article! Happy holidays and see you soon!

Dr. Andreia Moreira