Submitted by Carrie Riggin — Columnist
It’s the holidays and we’re all bound to have a hangover — or four. But contrary to what you might think, it doesn’t take days to recover if you treat yourself with the right remedies. Below I give you natural and healthy hangover cures to help you battle the holidays without a headache.
You’re welcome.
1. Asparagus: Weird, right? Believe it or not, eating asparagus before and after a drinking session will boost key enzymes responsible for breaking down alcohol in your system.
2. Water: Duh. Has anyone ever heard that the best remedy for a hangover is to drink a shot of what you had the night before? Whoever told you this is an idiot. Hangovers, plain and simple, are the result of dehydration. Consuming H2O before, during and after drinking alcohol will ensure your body has an adequate amount of fluids. NOTE: Many people think sports drinks are the “go-to” for hangovers. Yes, they replace glucose and electrolytes, but most are heavy in the sugar department. Steer clear, unless you want the sugar making a permanent home on your lower half.
3. Greens: Alcohol depletes the body of B vitamins that are essential for metabolic processes, including breaking down alcohol. Try veggies such as spinach, parsley, broccoli and bell peppers before and after drinking.
4. Yoga: Although exercise is probably the last thing your mind or body wants to do, it will help rid the body of excess toxins responsible for your hangover. Yoga is the best fitness routine post late-night partying, as it promotes detoxification, which helps to relieve head and stomach aches.
5. Warm Face Cloth: Moist warm towels, tiger balm or even a microwaved bag of rice (yes, really) applied to your forehead could help that dreaded hangover headache.
6. Bloody Mary Mix: Virgin, style! The nutrients in the tomato juice help replenish the body of what it’s lacking, bringing it back into balance.
7. Honey and Lemons: You’ve heard of the “hot toddy” that cures all ailments. Try it with lemon, honey and hot water (sorry, no alcohol). The honey contains fructose, which competes for the metabolism of the alcohol, preventing the rapid change in alcohol levels responsible for headaches.
8. Easy-to-Digest Foods: Stick to foods that help the digestive system move along, like toast (whole wheat of course), rice (brown or wild) or clear soup (non- creamy).
9. Fruit: Whether raw or freshly squeezed into juice, the natural sugar of fruits will help raise your blood sugar levels and, thus, alleviate hangover symptoms.
10. Sleep: If all else fails, sleep through it. At this point, your body is begging you for some R&R. So give it some.
The end of a new year and the beginning of a brand new one is cause for celebration. You have permission to live it up! Of course, as I always say… everything in moderation. But just in case you go a little overboard, you’ll now be able to enjoy your New Year’s Day just a little bit more.
Cheers to a healthy, happy and safe holiday!
