If you’ve ever had a few too many drinks on a fun night out, then you know exactly what the next morning can bring. That headache, parched mouth, fatigue and vertigo are telltale signs you’ve got a bad hangover. And if we’re being completely honest, pouring an ice cold glass of wine, beer or fruity mixture may have helped all of us get through the past year at one point or another.
In a recent survey, statistics show that almost a quarter of North Americans reported drinking more during the pandemic. At the same time, many people are becoming increasingly aware of the negative effects of increased drinking. That’s why we now have “healthier” alcoholic beverages hitting the shelves, with much lower amounts of sugar and calories. But alcohol is alcohol, and it can still give you a hangover. On top of that, there has been a recent boom in wellness remedies, including hydration and hangover prevention, treatment products and hangover supplements.
Symptoms of a Hangover
Even though we all probably want to forget what a hangover feels like, we should still educate ourselves on the effects drinking can cause, and all the possible ways on how to get rid of a hangover. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a more detailed list of symptoms that hangovers can cause. Keep in mind that the more alcohol you consume, the lower your blood sugar level will drop. Typically this will take effect the morning after a night of a heavy drinking, but because our bodies are unique and can react differently from one another, here are the symptoms you may be prone to experiencing:
- Parched mouth and dry throat: Consuming too much alcohol can cause serious dehydration, which can lead to an excessive thirst and dry mouth.
- Hangover headache: It is extremely common for alcohol to induce headaches because alcohol triggers your blood vessels to expand, leading to those nasty headaches, lightheadedness, and poor concentration.
- Hangover nausea: Alcohol can cause inflammation to your stomach lining and is known to increase the production of stomach acid, making you susceptible to nausea, vomiting and stomach aches.
- Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep: While some people can drink and pass out without any trouble at all, others can have the opposite reaction and end up awake all night, or end up waking up multiple times throughout the night. Alcohol affects the normal production of chemicals in your body that regulates sleep and wakefulness. So because of this, you may end up sleep deprived, restless and extremely sensitive to light and sounds.
- Inability to get out of bed the next morning: While sleeping in later than normal seems to be a common symptom of a hangover, being stuck in bed all day is not ideal because it can disrupt your sleep cycle and make your day worse. It will also cause you to feel excessive dizziness, grogginess and tiredness.
What to Avoid
Pain Relievers can calm a pounding hangover headache, but be careful how much you take. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen and aspirin irritate the stomach, which can make that hangover nausea feel worse.
Dark Alcoholic Beverages. Research has shown that clear liquors, such as vodka and gin, tend to cause hangovers much less frequently than darker colored alcoholic drinks such as whiskey, red wine and tequila. One of the main ingredients in alcoholic beverages is ethanol, but darker colored drinks contain another chemical called methanol. According to studies, our bodies have certain enzymes that process both ethanol and methanol, but methanol is much more toxic to our metabolism, potentially causing a worse hangover.
Greasy Foods. Although fried food is a classic go-to food for post-drinking, it is one of the worst possible meals you can eat after a big night out. That’s because while your body is trying to break down the alcohol into acetaldehyde (which is toxic and can cause hangovers), greasy foods can cause indigestion and heartburn, making you feel much more hungover and sluggish.
Hangover Tips and Solutions
For almost as long as humans have had hangovers, we’ve tried to cure hangovers with natural remedies that are scientifically proven to be good for the brain and body. While some hangover treatments work better than others, the real cure is to avoid drinking entirely. But where is the fun in that? Through extensive trial and error, and customer feedback, it’s now possible for hangover remedies to actually bring relief to at least some of the symptoms you’re feeling.
Here are a few tips we’ve gathered as helpful hangover solutions to try.
Water
Remember to always drink plenty of water, as it might be the easiest hangover solution. Alcohol consumption dehydrates your body, increasing the amount of times you’ll find yourself running to the bathroom. Releasing that toxicity from your system and drinking lots of water will keep you re-hydrated as you flush out the bad stuff. It might even curb the effects of a hangover in the morning. If your hangover includes sweating, vomiting or worse, diarrhea, you might be more dehydrated than you think. And although hangover nausea can make it difficult for you to ingest anything, even just taking a few sips of water can help with your hangover. If you’re going to drink, make sure to drink lots of water before you go to bed, and in the morning after you wake up.
Carbohydrates
Our brains need carbohydrates for fuel and energy. Since drinking lowers your blood sugar levels, this means that nasty hangover headache you’re experiencing is probably your brain working without enough fuel in your system. Many people tend to have so much fun that they forget to eat when they drink, and this can further lower your blood sugar. Be sure to eat before, during and after as a reminder to help keep your levels steady and normal. Even just having a slice of bread or some crackers can help ease your hangover.
Sleep
Time and rest can be the best medicine when it comes to getting over a hangover. But know that drinking interferes with brain activity during sleep, causing sleep deprivation. So even if you’re only able to get a few hours of sleep after a night of heavy drinking, it most likely won’t be restful because alcohol disrupts sleep. Despite that, sleep is still an important part of getting over a hangover. Many people who drink will wake up in the middle of the night with a sleep deficit and you’ll probably feel it’s difficult to bounce back with such a lack of energy. Even so, you should slip back under those covers to catch up on more restorative sleep.
B Vitamins
Alcohol interferes with the absorption of B vitamins, and depletes it from your system at the same time, so taking supplements beforehand may not be the most effective. But B vitamins have long been praised as a hangover helper because it helps boost your immune system. By taking B vitamin supplements after a long night out, you’ll be able to replace the lost vitamins and replenish your body with new ones.
Can-i Mend Oral Spray Hangover Supplement
Try Can-i Mend oral spray supplement. Can-i Mend is a natural replenishment that provides after-party liver support and works fast to relieve hangovers. It is all-natural, vegan, non-GMO, and completely free of sugar and allergens. Loaded with 11 vitamins, nutraceuticals, and herbal extracts, it’s perfect for combating headaches, sickness, and lack of energy after a night of having too many drinks. Can-i Mend is guaranteed to help accelerate your body’s natural healing process as a convenient, fast-acting, and effective hangover remedy.
Some of the key ingredients include: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, L-Cysteine, Glycine and much more.
Can-i Wellness for Morning Recovery
Can-i Wellness is the trusted sports, fitness and wellness line recognized for supplement products that really work. Can-i Boost, Can-i Mend, Can-i Fresh and Can-i Sleep are used by professional athletes, trainers, and television personalities to feel amazing while on the go. Our products offer four convenient natural remedies jam-packed with over 50 vitamins, herbal extracts, and nutraceuticals, scientifically formulated to work better together. Whether it’s boosting your energy, alleviating hangovers, relieving stress, and enabling better sleep, Can-i Wellness offers a solution for you. These oral sprays are fast-acting, effective, and work almost instantly when you feel less than your best. Just uncap, shake, and spray inside your cheek or under your tongue. They even taste great!