How to Avoid a Hangover and Prevent the Wrath of Grapes

Have you ever had a genuine, miserable, BAD hangover? Were you afraid to open your bloodshot eyes the next morning because you feared the sunlight would burn you to a crisp like Dracula? And you desperately needed to make it to the bathroom before you unavoidably . . . you know what!

Every muscle in your body ached so badly that you wanted to search for the truck that must have hit you. Why did I drink so much last night ? you were thinking. You were so drained the next day that you lacked the strength to press the TV remote to see if the world was still spinning – because you were!

Did your heavy, weighty head feel like it belonged to someone else?

Were you so thirsty you drank all the water . . . in your child’s pet fish’ bowl?

Did you have one, some or all of these nasty symptoms: nausea, diarrhea, acid reflux?

Well, cheer up. if you follow these sensible proven suggestions, you can avoid a hangover and its miserable side-effects. Promise!

• Eat asparagus.

According to scientific studies by Korean researchers – hopefully from South Korea – substances within the leaves and shoots of asparagus boost the levels of important enzymes that break down alcohol after heavy drinking before it can be absorbed by your body.

George Burns, the comedian, once observed: "It takes only one drink to get me drunk. The trouble is, I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or the fourteenth."

• Eat prickly pear.

Researchers at Tulane University discovered that drinkers who took prickly pear cactus extract five hours before drinking had 50% fewer hangover symptoms than drinkers who were clueless about this extract. This cactus fruit possesses strong anti-inflammatory agents that help offset the damage done by drinking alcohol.

To help prevent a hangover, you have three choices. You may eat prickly pear as a fruit, take an extract capsule, or drink prickly pear tea.

• Drink clear liquids.

Drink cocktails with rum, vodka or gin because they are lower in hangover-causing congeners which are a fermentation by-product. Avoid congener-heavy spirits like whiskey, bourbon, brandy, cognac, champagne, tequila and red wine.

It is very easy to become dehydrated while drinking, since alcohol blocks the release of a hormone called vasopressin which signals the kidneys to conserve water. So drink water in between your cocktails to stay hydrated and dilute the alcohol in your stomach.

Do not follow the advice of W.C. Fields: “I never drink water; that is the stuff that rusts pipes.”

• Eat bananas.

If you feel physically weak after a night of drinking, eat bananas to help restore your body's potassium levels and improve your muscle function – before you search for that truck.

• Eat organic eggs.

According to The Big Doctors Book of Home Remedies , eggs provide protein which help stabilize your blood sugar. The cystine in protein can break down toxins in your system. Choose organic eggs that come from hens raised on grass and organic feed. These eggs also will quickly replace the B vitamins drained from your body by drinking alcohol.

Henny Youngman once remarked: "When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading."

• Drink tomato juice.

Most folks already know that tomato juice provides two benefits. It provides the vitamins and minerals you need in your alcohol-ravaged body. And it hydrates you as the fructose in the juice flushes out lingering alcohol.

• Drink coconut water.

Do not reach for a sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade if you wake up with a grueling hangover. Although rich in electrolytes to bring your body chemistry back into balance, they also contain nasty ingredients like fake food dyes toxic to brain cells. Really!

And that’s not all. Some of those drinks contain a toxic flame retardant chemical. Trust me. The best electrolyte-boosting option is coconut water. A ConsumerLab.com analysis released this year found that Zico Natural Pure Premium Coconut Water is your best bet.

W.C. Fields also boasted, "Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water."

• Eat toast.

Your liver is grateful for a few slices of toast after a night of drinking. Usually, your liver automatically produces more glucose from stored carbs when your blood sugar dips. But when you drink, your liver is so busy metabolizing your alcohol, it can't always regulate your blood sugar which leaves you moody and drained of energy.

• Eat quinoa.

Are you asking, What the heck is quinoa? This South American grain (pronounced as keen-wah) is growing in popularity even as I write. You will be happy you have it on hand if you are suffering a hangover.

Drinking too much alcohol depletes your body's amino acids which are the building blocks of protein. But don't despair. Eat Quinoa with its well-balanced amino acid profile and you can help repair any damage. Believe me!

Everybody should believe in something. I believe I'll have another drink! Just kidding!

© Copyright BJ Rakow, Ph.D. 2012. All rights reserved. Author, "Much of What You Know about Job Search Just Ain't So." Readers say my book provided information they needed to write a dynamic resume and cover letter, network effectively, interview, and negotiate salary successfully. Includes a chapter for older workers.