Alternative between alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks to help ease the hangover
We all look forward to the party season, but over-indulgence in our favourite tipple can sometimes place extra demand on our nutrient levels, which leaves us with the worst hangover in the world.
Rich food, the dehydrating effects of alcohol and late nights can take their toll on your body.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help take care of yourself from the inside, so you really can enjoy the festivities.
Alison Cullen, A.Vogel nutritional therapist, says: "Everyone goes a bit overboard at Christmas time but don't use it as an excuse to gorge on stuffing and Christmas pudding for two weeks solid. Your body can cope with the odd bit of over indulgence but any more than a couple of days and it will start to struggle."
If you overdo the alcohol this season your liver may need some help to recuperate. Milk thistle, expecially when combined with other liver enhancing herbs such as Dandelion and Artichoke, may help a struggling liver. Artichoke has been found to stimulate the liver function while Dandelion has cleansing properties which help flush out toxins.
Alison continues: "Christmas is a time of celebration and getting together with friends and family, but sometimes it can be ruined by too much alcohol. It would be unrealistic to say avoid it like the plague, but there are things you can do to avoid horrendous hangovers.
"Dehydration is responsible for most of the nastier effects of a hangover. Alcohol dehydrates you which causes a dry mouth, headaches and a feeling of dizziness. Nausea, vomiting and indigestion are caused by alcohol irritating the stomach lining, and can add to the dehydration.
"While you're out, alternating water or non-fizzy soft drinks with alcoholic ones limits the amount of alcohol you consume. Avoid fizzy drinks were possible as they increase the amount of alcohol getting into the blood stream.
"The effects of a hangover last around 24 hours - by which time you'll feel ready to do it all again. Beware, though, if you spend every day overeating and drinking, you certainly won't want to go back to work in the new year."
Lorraine Perretta, Advanced Nutrition Programme’s nutritional consultant has some other top tips for surviving the party season:
· Salt can cause the body to retain water, so minimizing intake for a few days can help you look and feel slimmer.
· Drinking fresh smoothies not only makes a contribution to your ‘five-a-day’ of fruit and vegetables, but can boost your antioxidant levels which in turn can help support a healthy immune system to ward off colds and flu.
· Eat a full meal before drinking to slow down the absorption of alcohol and help you resist unhealthy snacks.
· Alcohol depletes your body’s nutrient levels; a multivitamin each day can help safeguard the diet.
· Moderation is key, having one drink per hour gives your body time to process the alcohol.
· Eat a banana the morning after - they provide electrolytes which are lost due to alcohol’s diuretic effect.
If you fancy taking the easy option in preparing yourself for the party season, then you have to opt for the Advanced Nutrition Programme Party Pack. It's a complete professional nutritional system of health eating and appropriate supplementation - this ensures that you'll wake up in 2012 feeling and looking better than ever - even with only a few hours sleep.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies