Before you start in on the champagne or your adult beverage of choice, get prepared with these strategies to keep the morning-after hangover at bay.
Before:
Chug, chug, chug!
Start early and keep knocking it back all night—we’re talking about water, of course. Dehydration shrinks the tissues around your brain, leaving you with a pounding headache in the morning. Don’t wait until the end of the tonight to chug a few glasses before bed—alternate each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water throughout the evening.
Skip your afternoon yoga class
Sure, cocktails after yoga sounds like a great afternoon—but research has found that alcohol delays your body’s rehydration process when you indulge half an hour post-workout, making it more likely that you’ll get dehydrated over happy hour.
Load up on asparagus
Not sure what to have for lunch before an evening out? Asparagus, according to 2009 research. Scientists found that its amino acids and minerals may alleviate your hangover and protect liver cells. And don’t be shy about sautéing it in butter—fat is great for slowing the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
During:
Stick to one glass
At least when it comes to champagne. Carbonation—so the same goes for soda mixers—causes you to absorb alcohol faster and feel the ill effects sooner.
Drink light
Dark drinks contain more congeners, byproducts of materials used during fermentation, than clear and light beverages do—and your body can tell the difference. In one study, researchers found that bourbon, which has 37 times the amount of congeners that vodka has, caused a worse hangover come morning.
Pick the right snacks
Not all bar food is created equal. Nosh on stuff that replenishes your potassium—alcohol causes you to urinate more, during which nutrients like potassium (important for nerve and muscle function) get depleted. Dark, leafy greens are a great source, but if you’re not in the mood for salad, potato chips or fries will also get the job done.
After:
Get outside
Still feeling a little queasy the morning after? Go for a walk to increase your oxygen level and speed up the metabolism of alcohol in your body.
Go to brunch
Just make sure you’re ordering the right stuff. You’ll want to pick things that contain cysteine, an amino acid that that counteracts the effects of hangover-causing toxin acetaldedhyde—you’ll find it in eggs, broccoli, red pepper, and onions (hello, omelette!), as well as yogurt, oats, and dairy.
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