It is that time of the year when, no matter whether you are a party-person or not, it is difficult if not impossible to avoid all the parties, which means that there is also a lot of eating and drinking taking place. Of course we all know that feeling when we wake up the next morning and swear never again… until the next time.

Hangovers are not pleasant, and I have seen many brave men (and women) literally crawling from the pounding headache, dry mouth and nausea that generally accompanies a hangover. Avoiding hangovers is very simple though, even if you do go out on the town and have a few drinks every now and then.

Hangovers are basically the effects of rich food and alcohol on the body. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it makes you urinate more often, thereby dehydrating your body. Drinking another glass of alcohol because your mouth is dry will not help one bit; in actual it will make things worse because you are going to lose that liquid pretty soon too. For every 30 ml of alcohol you drink, you lose 200ml of water. Alcohol is also toxic and its effects on your body can affect your brain, liver, sensory perception, and central nervous system.

The only sensible way to party is to load up on vitamin-rich foods or eat something that is carbohydrate-heavy such as pasta before going drinking, which will help absorb the alcohol. Eating fatty or greasy foods or a spoonful of olive oil will help to coat the lining of your stomach and slow how fast the alcohol is absorbed. Also drink as much water as possible before partying so that you are as hydrated as possible.

When at the party, opt for something that has a high water to alcohol ratio like beer, as it will not dehydrate you as much. If you drink spirits, go for white spirits which have less toxic ingredients. Drink spirits with water or on the rocks, as the water will dilute the alcohol. Drink a glass of water between rounds of alcohol to keep hydrated, and slow down the dehydration process.

Eat something before retiring and drink more water to dilute the alcohol still in your system. Drink a large glass of water immediately upon wakening and have a really greasy breakfast soaked in a chilli sauce which will coat your stomach and help sweat out the toxins. Drink more water to replace lost fluids.

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