5 hangover cures to get you through the holiday season
Hangovers are bad. Although they don’t discriminate, you are more likely to wake up feeling fatigued or with a pounding headache the next morning when you go overboard with your drinking session. We gave out a list of our favourite clean cocktail recipes in the previous article, so now you know that alcohol can very well be a part of your healthy lifestyle (when consumed mindfully, of course). But, drinking is not always a smooth ride and hangovers are the worst. We have rounded up a few easy hangover cures that will make your drinking experience light and fun, just like the holiday season.
Before we get to the cures, here are a few things you can do to keep yourself balanced and in control while you chug those glasses (just kidding, do not chug).
Choose your beverage of choice wisely
A couple of studies show that alcoholic beverages that are mainly just alcohol and water, like vodka and gin, produce less severe hangovers, while other compounds that contain congeners — brandy, whisky, red wine, to name a few — tend to produce more severe hangovers. What if you’re a beer lover? Beer has a relatively low congener level, although the heavier the beer, the more congener it contains.
Eat before you drink
The alcohol is absorbed more slowly when you have food in your stomach. Exactly what should you eat? Whatever you want. It’s a myth that one type of food is better than another.
Pace yourself
Having a non-alcoholic drink between each alcoholic beverage helps to maintain a low blood alcohol level, and keeps you hydrated.
Replenish lost fluids
Before you put your head on the pillow, guzzle some water or other non-alcoholic drink, but avoid caffeine. Like alcohol, it has a diuretic effect and may contribute to hangover symptoms.
These natural hangover cures are great to support the body’s natural detoxification process. They have an alkalizing effect on the body whilst also providing a good dose of antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals produced when alcohol is broken down in the liver.
GREEN DETOX SMOOTHIE
Even if you’re not a drinker, this is a great “detox” smoothie, as it aids the specific reactions your body does naturally to eliminate toxins. Kale contains chemicals called glucosinolates which breakdown into isothiocyanates, aiding your liver in its natural detoxification process. Lemon juice provides vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant against free radicals.
Ingredients:
1 cup of fresh kale
1 cup chopped cucumber
½ cup chopped parsley
½ tbsp moringa powder
½ tsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
Directions:
Blend the kale leaves, cucumber and parsley together.
Strain the juice through a sieve if you want to remove the pulp.
Add the lemon juice, moringa powder and salt as per your liking
Enjoy this green juice whenever you need a hydration boost.
Originally featured in 3 vitamin C-rich drinks for glowing skin.
FRESH CORIANDER JUICE
When taken early in the morning on an empty stomach, coriander juice works as a natural detoxifier to remove all toxins from the body. It contains Vitamin A, carotenoids, folate and several other nutrients. The leaves of the coriander plant also contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight free radical damage.
Wash fresh coriander with water and chop it up. Add it to the blender and blitz it until it turns smooth. Strain it and add enough water to thin out the consistency. Season it with some rock salt and lemon juice for taste.
Originally featured in The surprising benefits of drinking coriander juice every morning.
CCF TEA
CCF Tea is your new digestive SOS. It stands for cumin, coriander and fennel. This Ayurvedic tea blend is an antidote to over-eating, and a sore, distended belly.
In Ayurvedic medicine, this trio is used to gently stoke your digestive fire, referred to as agni, though without being so stimulating that one overheats. When the digestive fire is healthy, the body is able to absorb and utilise the nutrients from food better, and effectively break down ama, or accumulated toxins.
How to make CCF tea:
Combine equal parts organic cumin, coriander and fennel seeds, and store in a glass jar.
To serve, add 1 rounded teaspoon per person to your tea pot, let it steep in boiling water for at least 5 minutes, then pour and enjoy.
Originally featured in 5 morning detox drinks to reset your body post-diwali.
COCONUT WATER
Coconut water contains potassium and natural sugars that instantly hydrate the body, making it an excellent choice whether you have been ill or are nursing a hangover. Potassium helps keep fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, thereby improving nerve and muscle function. Though you can have coconut water at any time of the day, if you really need a quick fix to that cocktail OD, it’s best to start the morning with a tall glass of the elixir. A foolproof hack to avoid hangovers altogether to start your evening with some coconut water before you proceed to alcoholic beverages.
BANANA MILKSHAKE
A drink made up of bananas, milk, honey and cream can help cure the consequences of too much alcohol. The banana raises potassium levels, milk lines the stomach, and the sugar in the honey raises blood sugar. This particular drink containing four ingredients can help you beat the typical symptoms of a hangover.
