Feature Image by Irene Kredenets
Hangovers: Nature’s cruelest punishment for a time well had. It’s never fair and always an inconvenience. When you think of a hangover you think of mornings in bed with Advil in one hand, the TV remote in the other, and a puddle of your own tears on the floor beside you.
In hopes of making your mornings after a little bit better, we’re answering this one big question: do hangover prevention drinks really work?
First, what causes hangovers?
According to ScienceAlert, “alcohol is a diuretic, so it makes you urinate more often which can lead to dehydration.” As we know, dehydration can make you feel sleepy, lethargic, and especially dizzy. Alcohol also irritates your stomach lining, causes your blood vessels to expand, and interferes with glucose production. Oddly enough, if you have too much too fast, your brain will stop processing memories, which is where we get the phrase “I think I blacked out.” Combine all of that and you’ve got yourself hangover.
How does a hangover prevention drink help?
Hangover prevention drinks are a masterful concoction of all the things that get depleted when you’re drinking. Bottles of popular prevention drinks such as DrinkAde® and Before Elixir host a mixture of vitamins (especially vitamin B), amino acids, nutrients, and minerals that aid in rehydration and liver support. Hangovers are not due to just dehydration, so these drinks are designed to help the liver do its thing, metabolize acetaldehyde, and remove toxins.
Should you try it?
Hangover prevention drinks should be tested by anyone who is willing to minimize the effects of a hangover. While the word “prevention” seems a little bold, it’s worth testing to see if the name holds any truth. If you are someone who has tried just about any and every type of prevention or remedy, experimenting with a drink infused with vitamins, minerals, and plant extract could be worth a shot.
Drink smart
While the idea of a prevention drink acting as a cure-all seems nice, there are other things to consider. Drink smart and make sure you’re avoiding drinks high in congeners as it can be pretty toxic (and include methanol, isopentanol, and even acetone).
Drinks high in congeners include whiskey, cognac, and tequila. If you stick to clear liquors, you will be drinking something with fewer congeners, therefore, lowering your chances of an extreme hangover. In addition, drink water throughout the night, drink in moderation, and load up on B vitamins, milk thistle, and other plant extracts.
We can’t guarantee that hangover prevention drinks will make your mornings absolutely hangover-free. Hangovers are still wildly misunderstood, and science is still trying to decipher what goes on with our minds and bodies when we drink. What we can get behind is the ultimate hangover cure: a little hair of the dog and hitting up your favorite breakfast spot for some greasy food.
As always, consult your doctor or physician before taking any supplements.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
