Is there a cure for the dreaded hangover? Short answer…No. The only way to stop a hangover is to not drink alcohol at all! We all know that can be hard sometimes especially if its a Christmas party or birthday party! But do not despair as there are supplements that can help your body process the alcohol more efficiently and replenish the lost nutrients from a night or day of drinking the devils juice.
Okay where do we start, alcohol affects the body in many ways. Ranging from dehydration, increased toxins in the body, glutamine rebound (loss of sleep) and depletion of your vitamins and minerals.
The first and easiest way to help your body with the alcohol is to stay hydrated and drink water. Replacing the lost water is great and will help you wake up better the next day. However the key to maximising your hydration is to also replace the lost electrolytes from all those trips to the toilet. It can be hard replacing those lost electrolytes in between your tasty beverages so if you forgot to have your electrolytes between or with your drinks then do not worry as it will still benefit you if you have your electrolytes before you go to bed with a nice big glass of cold water! Click here if you need to stock up on some hydration and electrolyte powder.
When you drink alcohol your body breaks it down into various components, some of which are considered toxins and our bodies struggle to break them down. One substance that helps our body handle the toxins is N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC). This amino acid produces Glutathione which assists us in breaking down the toxic by-products of alcohol consumption. NAC can be taken before, during and after drinking alcohol. You can find NAC capsules and NAC powder available at our online store.
Another substance which helps the body deal with alcohol is Dihydromyricetin (DHM). This one is a herbal extract and studies have shown it to be effective in reducing the effects of alcohol especially if taken 30 minutes before consuming alcohol but it also has a beneficial affect if taken after drinking alcohol. It has also been claimed that it can help with the glutamine rebound effect caused by alcohol and the increase in GABA.
Last but not least is the depletion of vitamins, minerals and general nutrition. One strategy to minimise this is to eat a healthy meal before and after drinking. If you find it too hard to eat a full meal after drinking then try have a protein shake and some B Vitamins before bed, this will help replace some important amino acids and vitamins!