Hangover Helpers for the people

Big Pimpin · #1 03-18-2006, 04:57 PM

Drinking is a buy-now, pay-later proposition. Here's how to cut your interest rate.

Moderation may be your mantra, but we all cross the line now and then. That's why we tested 11 common hangover remedies. Use trial and error to figure out which work best for you.

Approach One: STAY HYDRATED

Water

Alcohol inhibits secretion of the hormone vasopressin, bringing on dehydration, which exacerbates the symptoms of a hangover.

Two approaches: Drink loads at the end of a night, or drink throughout the evening. "For me, a glass every two hours worked great," said our tester.

"It puts you ahead of the game," says Robert Swift, M.D., of Brown University, adding that, unlike Coors, it's not a silver bullet. Try something else, too.

Gatorade

Gatorade's 6 percent carbohydrate solution promotes rehydration better than mere water.

"I downed two huge bottles at the end of the night," said our tester. "And I felt like a million bucks the next day."

It's a great substitute for plain old water. "The extra salt helps your body absorb the fluid more quickly," explains Dr. Swift.

Approach Two: ABSORB SLOWER, METABOLIZE FASTER

The Mega-Dinner

Food delays gastric emptying in the stomach—meaning alcohol stays there longer and is processed more slowly.

"There's nothing like pounding a burger before a night of boozing. But the effect wore off as I kept drinking," said our tester.

A no-brainer. Don't drink on an empty stomach. "The longer alcohol stays in the stomach," says Dr. Swift, "the better your body breaks it down."

The Juice-Chaser (two glasses of OJ or tomato juice before bed)

The fructose in the juice speeds up metabolism, ridding your system of alcohol more quickly.

"I felt as sick the next day as I would have otherwise," reported our still-queasy guinea pig. "It just didn't work."

Looks good on paper, but here's the fine print: "You'd have to drink at least 10 glasses," says Carlton K. Erickson, Ph.D., of the University of Texas.

RU-21 (a supplement)

It slows down the creation of a nasty by-product—the one that causes headaches and nausea—while speeding up the destruction of others.

"Success. I woke up to a group of clearheaded people. There was no groaning, no puking and no handing out aspirin," said our tester.

Works, but only to a point. "Your metabolism is already running as fast as it can," says Dr. Swift. But if it's effective for you, go for it.

Approach Three: REPLACE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

Saltines (10, to be exact, washed down with 24 oz water)

Salt helps you retain the fluid you lose over a night of drinking. With 32 milligrams of salt per cracker, this is a surefire way to keep from drying up.

"Too labor-intensive. I would much rather pop a pill than shove crackers down my abused throat."

Drinking water is a better way to stay hydrated. But, "at the very least, it'll help dilute the alcohol in your stomach," says Dr. Swift.

The Bull's Eye (12-oz glass of OJ mixed with a raw egg)

Fructose in the OJ helps promote breakdown of alcohol, and egg protein replaces lost nutrients.

"More vomit-inducing than the alcohol itself."

"There is no evident benefit to this concoction that would justify the risk of getting salmonella," says Dr. Swift.

Approach Four: CLEAR YOUR HEAD

Hair of the Dog

Hangovers only hit once you sober up, so stay drunk.

"I woke up feeling horrible. I was nauseous and grumpy. My head was pounding. Then I had three beers and felt like a new man," said our tester.

Fine, but you're just putting off the inevitable. Plus: "This could lead to alcohol abuse," says Erickson. Duh.

Drinking Only Light-Colored Alcohol (white wine, vodka, and gin)

Lighter drinks have fewer headache-inducing congeners than darker drinks, like red wine, beer and dark liquors.

"I felt just as disgusting as on any other night of hard drinking. On the way home, I had to have my friend pull over so I could puke."

It actually does work—if you're drinking in moderation. "If you drink a quart of white wine, you're still going to get a hangover," says Erickson.

Aspirin

Popping two the night before fights off headaches before they start.

"My head wasn't too bad, but I was still tired and nauseated."

Thumbs-up—but be careful. "Aspirin can irritate the stomach," says Dr. Swift. And mixing alcohol and Tylenol can damage the liver.

Exercise

Sweating helps leach alcohol out of your system more quickly.

"I feel like I'm actually sweating out alcohol. It might just be in my head, but I feel better by doing it."

The perfect placebo: "You're just doing something to get your mind off the hangover," says Erickson. But you're getting a good workout, too.

ty and gl

jaypasco · #2 03-18-2006, 05:03 PM

thanks

jaypasco · #3 03-18-2006, 05:17 PM

your avater is awsome by the way...loool

Big Pimpin · #4 03-18-2006, 05:29 PM

Your welcome and yes the chicks dig it

Deck · #5 03-18-2006, 05:42 PM

live long and shocker bro!

Ron Mexico · #6 03-18-2006, 07:44 PM

This works best for me:

Have a good dinner. Lots of bread if possible.

Take 2 Chaser plus pills with the first drink.

Take 2 more Chaser plus pills with a large gatorade before bed.

Have sex.... hopefully not with self!!!!

Drink another gatorade

Pass Out!!!

Works every time!!!!!

Big Pimpin · #7 03-18-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Mexico

This works best for me:

Have a good dinner. Lots of bread if possible.

Take 2 Chaser plus pills with the first drink.

Take 2 more Chaser plus pills with a large gatorade before bed.

Have sex.... hopefully not with self!!!!

Drink another gatorade

Pass Out!!!

Works every time!!!!!

I do not condone this sir.