HANGOVER
CAUSES & CURE
A hangover after generous
amounts of wine is no less unpleasant just
because it’s caused by a culturally
respected beverage. For those who suffer
from over indulgence their only wish is
to have it end as soon as possible.
An average liver breaks down roughly 8 to
10 grams of alcohol an hour – about
the amount in a glass of wine. If a person
drinks more than that within an hour, the
excess cannot be processed and the alcohol
enters the bloodstream. From there it’s
carried to parts of the body that are rich
in blood vessels, such as the brain. The
results are dizziness and grogginess.
Sparkling wine and wine spritzers release
alcohol into the blood even more quickly,
as do sweet wines. Wine drinkers should
therefore be especially wary of sparkling
or liqueur wines.
Vitamin C and E assist the liver in metabolizing
alcohol, but has little effect once the
hangover has begun. Drinking water, contrary
to popular belief, only quickens the spread
of alcohol through the body.
If overindulgence leads to nausea and vomiting
it is necessary to compensate for the body’s
loss of water and salt. Drinking large amounts
of water will do this, but teas and warm
soups tend to work better. Soda and pretzels
also help in recovery and taking a bite
of raw ginger can stop the retching and
calm the stomach. Causes & Cures
Headache
Cause – Headaches are caused by increased
liquid pressure in the brain.
Cure – There is only one effective
remedy for a wine headache, aspirin. Take
one or two aspirin tablets, or headache
pills, before going to bed. (In an effervescent
form they will be absorbed faster.
Nausea
Cause – Nausea is most often caused
by overindulgence.
Cure – There is no cure once a point
of over consumption has been reached, but
a few things can help such as drinking on
a full stomach. Fatty and protein-rich foods
slow alcohol absorption and cheese &
milk counter it’s effects. (The alcohol
from a glass of wine can take an hour or
two to enter the bloodstream on a full stomach,
but only 40 minutes on an empty one.
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