How to cure a hangover!

We’ve all been there. The night started as a grand old time and before we knew it, the light of day was creeping in and we were regretting that last drink. Cue the headache, nausea and hangover, which leads to a lack of concentration, feeling irritable, sensitivity to light and overall - feeling rubbish. If you are reading this then we know you feel our pain, and we are here to help.

At this time of year, the parties, nights out on the town and Christmas shindigs never seem to stop. So, how do you cure your hangover? You may be relying on the old advice of trying to drink lots of water to combat those dreaded symptoms. Unfortunately, it isn't as simple as it seems and recent research suggests that drinking water isn’t going to cut it!

Dehydration Doesn't Cause Hangovers?

So, what causes hangovers? At Nourished, we have created a gummy nutrient stack that combats hangovers head-on, but before we look at how to cure a hangover it’s important to understand the science behind them and to highlight a huge myth surrounding dehydration. So, let's take a closer look.

A study in 1950 [i] shows that when drinking alcohol the body does excrete more water, but this is due to a few factors, such as how your kidneys monitor and regulate the amount of liquid in your body and the plasma osmolality of your blood.

Alcohol is also a diuretic which means it helps to rid your body of salt and water. So, how does this tie together? Well, a study in Berliner Morgenpost [ii] looked at how the wrong conclusions were drawn from the 1950s study. Despite alcohol making you need to pee more, alcohol doesn't lead to the body becoming dehydrated.

Drinking water when you have a hangover can help to alleviate the symptom of having a dry mouth, though won't stop that pesky hangover from disappearing.

What causes a hangover and why?

Okay, so recent research has busted the age-old myth around dehydration, but the question still remains, what causes a hangover?

A lot of evidence suggests that the majority of hangover symptoms are caused by inflammation. After consuming alcohol, our bodies begin freaking out and reports show that we have elevated levels of cytokines after ingesting alcohol. The function of cytokines is to regulate inflammation, but when they are firing, they can cause a host of other hangover-like symptoms such as a loss of memory (which most of us have experienced when drinking alcohol), headaches, fatigue and nausea to name a few. [iii] [iv]

How to cure a hangover

Now that we understand what the causes are, it's a lot easier to understand what we need to be consuming to fight off inflammation. It goes without saying that drinking less alcohol in the first place is the ultimate way to avoid a hangover, but if you have still had a few too many then the following list will help:

Does Taking Ibuprofen help a hangover?

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen have been proved to aid hangover symptoms. A study into the effects of anti-inflammatory prophylactic treatment found that participants showed fewer signs of hangover symptoms in general such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, irritation, tremor, thirst and dryness of mouth when prophylactic treatment was applied before drinking and before going to bed compared to those who didn't. [v]

How HydroCurc can help a hangover!

Vitamins are often overlooked as a hangover cure but at Nourished we have trialled and tested this method and can allude to its effectiveness!

Hydrocurc is one of the most bioavailable forms of curcumin (also known as Turmeric), a powerful anti-inflammatory. At Nourished we have created this super-functioning combination of Hydrocurc and Black Pepper to enhance the effects of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is available in an easy to consume gummy format here at Nourished and only takes up 1 layer in a 7 layer stack.

We have an entire page dedicated to all of the other amazing health-promoting effects of Hydrocurc and Black Pepper along with the scientific studies that back up their effects.

The Health Benefits of Ginseng

Used for centuries in Chinese medicine, Ginseng is a powerful antioxidant that has multiple benefits including protecting the body from inflammation. Studies show that Ginseng has a positive effect on alcohol metabolism which can take the edge off those hangover symptoms quicker [vi].

Ginseng is packed full of nutrients and studies show they have multiple benefits, including helping to improve overall health-related quality of life and supporting good mental health. Further research demonstrates how Ginseng can help to reduce inflammation whilst supporting our body's natural defences.

How Ginger can help a hangover

Studies have shown that a traditional formula in China containing Ginger decreases the severity of alcohol-related hangover symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea when the formula was administered in scheduled prophylactic doses [vii].

Both Ginger Extract, Vitamin C and Ginseng are available to add to your Nourished stack, which are designed specifically for you.

Eating Plant-based Foods and Avoid Processed Foods can aid hangovers

As well as some foods combating inflammation some also have the opposite effects and can increase levels. It’s advised that processed meats, sugary drinks (such as soft drinks and fruit juices), refined carbohydrates (e.g. bread and pasta), processed snacks, trans fats and any more alcohol are to be avoided.

There are a host of natural foods that contain anti-inflammatory properties such as:

Vegetables (broccoli and kale - which is also available as a part of our Nourished Greens Nourishment),
Green tea,
Dark chocolate,
Nuts - almonds & walnuts
High-fat fruits such as avocados
Fatty fish such as mackerel and salmon
Fruits such as strawberries, cherries and oranges
Tomatoes

What Vitamins Should You Take To Cure A Hangover?

So, there you have it! A long list of ways to cure your hangover. From eating plant-based foods and avoiding processed foods, to taking vitamins such as Ginger Extract, Hydrocurc and Ginseng.

No-one wants to pop pills on a hangover, so at Nourished we have made it extremely easy by creating the Party Proofed blend in a delicious gummy stack. This formulation is 3D-printed with 7 layers of nutrients and vitamins to get you back up to speed after those late nights and Christmas parties.

This once-a-day gummy is packed with nutrients such as Vitamin C, Ginger Extract, Hydrocurc and many more that offer a host of other health benefits. Not only does it support your body's natural recovery but also helps you bounce back in no time!

You can get yours today from the Nourished website or take our short quiz to get a personalised nutrient recommendation.