FESTIVE Hangover?

Feel better fast with our expert tips and tricks

We‘ve all said ‘never again’ – only to wake up with yet another stonking hangover. In fact, 47% of us admit we can’t control our alcohol intake, with the planned ‘just a couple’ of drinks often turning into a full-on binge*.

And if you feel your hangovers are hitting harder than before – and lasting for longer than one day – sadly, you’re not imagining it. Liver function decreases with age, making the body less efficient at processing toxins. It’s also worse for women. ‘Our bodies have less water content and more fat content, so alcohol remains longer in the body,’ says nutritional therapist Shona Wilkinson. ‘Women also produce less alcohol dehydrogenase – the enzyme in the body that detoxifies alcohol.’

Reaching for over-the-counter painkillers may not be the answer. ‘Paracetamol has a toxic effect on the liver, while anti-inflammatories can further irritate the stomach lining,’ warns Shona. Here’s how to recover, without the pills.

RECOVERY REMEDIES

How to beat the hangover blues

REHYDRATE THE RIGHT WAY

Woken up with an excessively dry mouth? ‘Your body naturally regulates the amount of water it loses during sleep, but alcohol adversely affects this regulation,’ says chief pharmacist Stuart Gale. Drinking plenty of water is essential. Sports drinks containing electrolytes restore lost minerals, such as calcium. Or sip coconut water. ‘It contains potassium, sodium and magnesium – the minerals that are lost in sweat and urine,’ says Shona.

DITCH YOUR VICES