The sun is shining, the weather is fair, and we’re heading into Pride and the Canada Day holiday. I don’t know about you, but I thought this would be the perfect time to give some tips for preventing (and recovering from) a hangover, naturally.
Hangover Prevention: The Week Before
While the experts aren’t sure EXACTLY what causes a hangover (well, besides alcohol), having a happy liver is an important part of drinking. If you can’t metabolize the alcohol, well, you’re gonna have a bad time.
You don’t need to do a fancy detox to keep your liver healthy. It’s better to support your liver in doing its job than to try and do its job on its behalf. Starting your day with lemon water is a great way to give your liver a boost. Including foods like leafy greens, cruciferous veg, beets, cayenne pepper, and grapefruit in your diet help, too. Be careful with grapefruit, though, if you’re on any medication. It can make it metabolize too quickly, leaving you unmedicated through part of the day. *ahem* BIRTH CONTROL *ahem*
Hangover Prevention: The Day Of
On the day of your festivities, the best thing you can do is drink water and eat food. Make sure you’re well hydrated throughout the day, and have enough food in your system to absorb the alcohol. Foods with a high fat content (oils, butters, etc.) digest more slowly, so they’re a great choice for pre-drinking food.
Hangover Recovery
Coconut water. It’s got the two things you need most the day after drinking: hydration, and electrolytes. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can grab some of Vega’s Electrolyte Hydrator, too. Kombucha is a great choice for the morning after, as well. Because it’s fermented, it contains B vitamins and probiotics to make feel better. If you’re feeling nauseated, choose the ginger flavor for its stomach-settling properties.
The most important thing you can do this summer, whether you’re drinking or not, is stay hydrated. It’s a sweaty time, even when you’re just sitting, so keep replenishing those fluids! To paraphrase a pair of Canadian legends, keep your liver fit, and have fun!