What to Eat After a Hangover? Young people often enjoy gatherings where drinking alcohol is common. However, excessive drinking can lead to nighttime headaches and vomiting, followed by fatigue, dizziness, stomach discomfort, and thirst the next morning—known as a hangover. Hangover sufferers have harmful substances accumulated in their liver cells, which, if not cleared, may trigger acute illnesses.Below are recommendations for what to eat after a hangover.
What are the dangers of a hangover?
Hangover Hazard 1: The simplest and most common explanation is that alcohol consumption causes dehydration. This occurs because alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing urine output, and because people typically drink little water during hours of heavy drinking.However, when some studies examined the link between post-drinking dehydration and hangovers, the results were somewhat unexpected. For instance, one study found no correlation between elevated levels of dehydration-related hormones and severe hangover symptoms. While dehydration likely contributes to some hangover symptoms (dizziness, confusion, and thirst), other factors are also at play.
Most scientists believe hangovers result from alcohol disrupting the body's natural chemical balance in a complex way, leading to significant hangover symptoms.One hypothesis suggests that to process alcohol, the body must convert a coenzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) into another form: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADH).It's generally believed that when NADH accumulates excessively while NAD becomes depleted, your cells can no longer efficiently perform a series of metabolic activities—from absorbing glucose from the blood to regulating electrolyte levels, and so on. However, this hypothesis has been challenged by data: in several studies, no significant reductions in electrolyte or glucose levels were found in the blood of individuals experiencing severe hangovers.
What to Eat After a Hangover?
1. Opt for Light Foods
Upon waking, hangover sufferers often experience abdominal discomfort and lack appetite. At this stage, light congee is beneficial. Greasy foods only burden the digestive system and intensify discomfort. If plain congee is unappealing, broth is a suitable alternative.Broth is rich in protein, helping replenish lost nutrients. To enhance protein absorption, pair it with a small amount of carbohydrates. Broth also contains ample potassium and sodium, replenishing essential salts lost during intoxication.
2. Eat fruits and desserts
Fruits are packed with nutrients beneficial to the body. Digestive-friendly fruits are especially helpful for hangovers.Some people habitually eat fruit after drinking, believing it won't burden the stomach while aiding digestion. Fruits are rich in vitamin C, which acts as a lubricant for breaking down alcohol. Those with hangovers can eat more watermelon, citrus fruits, etc. Desserts contain large amounts of sugar, replenishing sugar lost through vomiting. If there is no vomiting or abdominal discomfort, avoid desserts to prevent adding to the stomach's burden.
III. Eat Persimmons
Persimmons possess alcohol-decomposing properties, a fact unknown to many young people. Rich in vitamins, fructose, and potassium, persimmons not only break down alcohol but also promote diuresis. Persimmon leaves are highly nutritious and can be brewed into tea to alleviate hangovers.
IV. Taking Painkillers
After drinking, people often experience dizziness, discomfort throughout the body, and especially abdominal pain. Upon returning home, most people use essential oils like anise to bathe, promoting blood circulation and accelerating alcohol evaporation to relieve discomfort. If headaches occur, take painkillers. Without them, headaches won't lessen the next day but will worsen, affecting work performance.