Have you ever wondered what goes on inside your body that could cause so much suffering? The facts are intriguing… While we don’t know why all the symptoms of hangover occur, scientists have uncovered some unique facts behind the physiology of the common symptoms. Here are five facts that can help you recover from it as well as a few recipes ideas.

1. Alcohol blocks the production of a hormone (vasopressin) that helps the body absorb water. As a result, the body immediately excretes the water—up to four times as much as the alcohol consumed. This diuretic effect results in fatigue, dry mouth…and headache! Sounds familiar? During dehydration, the body compensate by stealing water from the brain, causing it to reduce in size and pull on the membranes connecting it to the skull. Ouch! Frequent urination also depletes the body of magnesium and potassium, critical for proper muscle and nerve function, a lack of which can lead to further headaches, fatigue and nausea.

Tips:

• Drink plenty of water (minimum 2 litres) and use electrolytes to help rehydrate.

• Coconut water is a tasty way to recover those electrolytes.

2. Drinking alcohol creates the powerful toxin acetaldehyde to be released in the body (it is created when liver breaks down alcohol). The body defends itself by attacking it with an antioxidant called glutathione- our body’s most powerful antioxidant. Using natural compounds to support glutathione synthesis can help with recovery:

Tips:

• Vitamin C: is a precursor of glutathione, make you sure you include plenty in your diet on the day: Oranges, red and green pepper, strawberries, blackcurrant, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, pineapples.

• Glutathione is naturally found in : asparagus, eggs, garlic, walnuts, plant tissues, legumes and whey protein

3. Alcohol inhibits glutamine, one of the body’s natural stimulants. When you stop drinking, the body responds by producing more than it needs, disrupting sleep and causing hangover tremors, anxiety, restlessness, and increased blood pressure.

Tips : Allow yourself to take it easy! Nap, rest, chill!

4. Alcohol breaks down the body’s store of glycogen, a key energy source, turning it into glucose that gets expelled in the urine. The resulting lack of glycogen is partly responsible for the weakness, fatigue, and lack of coordination you feel the next day.

Tips: It’s important to remember to eat!

5. Overall, It is key to support the liver, which is the organ responsible for the detoxification of toxic compound, here alcohol!

Tips:  Abuse turmeric, which is a well-known liver support food. Also make sure you include plenty of carrots, beetroots, greens leafy veg, ginger, watercress, coriander, onions and garlic to help nourish the liver!

A few recipes ideas :

• Turmeric latte (1 fresh turmeric root + 1 thumb size fresh ginger + ½ teaspoon of cinnamon + almond milk + black pepper = blend and warm up
• Watercress and spinach soup ( find the recipe on my instagram @loladucout)
• Juices or smoothies:
• carrots + beetroot + apple + ginger
• pineapple + turmeric+ ginger +coconut water
• any type of green juice or smoothie
• a lentil curry, with heaps of turmeric, coriander, ginger garlic and onions
• Special mention goes to Matcha green tea, my favourite!

Optional Supplements:

•  2g curcumin
• Milk thistle (avoid if on medication)
• L-Glutamine powder or capsules (make sure its 100% , without the binders and fillers)
• Probiotics
•  Glutathione nutrient: NAC supplement is the precursor to Glutathione.
•  Digestive Enzymes** with foods, ease digestion

Please contact me for supplements dosages or if you have any questions, kindly, Lola x