Hangover

The best hangover cures are firstly to rid
your body system of the toxicity from high
alcohol consumption, and then keep
hydrated with plenty fluids and juices.

Understanding a Hangover A hangover describes the unpleasant physiological condition following a heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages.  A hangover can last up to two or three days after alcohol consumption.  The more alcohol consumed, the higher the chances of a hangover.  However, how much one can safely drink differs from person to person.  Some people may have a higher tolerance level for alcohol than others.

Symptoms of a Hangover

Signs and symptoms of a hangover typically begin several hours after consumption of alcohol.  Depending on how much was drunk, and the tolerance level, one may experience any of these symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Headaches and muscle aches
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Elevated body temperature
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Blurred vision
• Mood disturbances, such as depression, anxiety and irritation
• Erratic motor functions
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Bloodshot eyes

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Causes of Hangover Symptoms

The amount of congeners in alcohol is said to be one of the main contributors of symptoms of a hangover.  Congener refers to the impurities (zinc and other metals) that are produced during fermentation of alcohol which are added to enhance the taste, aroma and color of alcoholic beverages.

Alcoholic drinks with higher amounts of congeners are red wine, champagne and bourbon.  White wine has a lesser amount than red wine, and vodka has the lowest concentration.

Ethanol in alcohol causes a dehydrating effect that leads to thirst, headaches and most other symptoms.  Metabolic disturbances in the brain from high consumption of alcohol causes a "brain hypoglycemia" or low sugar that leads to other symptoms like difficulty concentrating, mood changes, trouble sleeping and erratic motor functions.

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Diet Suggestions

Hangovers happen mainly because of the toxicity of the alcohol and dehydration.  By addressing these two issues, you can easily banish the hangover symptoms.

If you tend to get hangovers from alcoholic beverages, take precaution the next time you plan to drink:

• Know your limit and stop before you pass your tolerance threshold

• Do not drink on an empty stomach

• Avoid darker colored alcoholic beverages

• Do not mix alcohol with carbonated beverages

To counter the "brain hypoglycemia", drink a fruit juice that is high in fructose (fruit sugar) before going to bed (if you are still sober).  Fructose can help metabolize the alcoholic chemicals that causes hangover symptoms.

Also, drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins.  Always keep Celtic sea salt handy and put a pinch (or about 1/8 teaspoon) into every 8oz glass of water up to maximum of 1 teaspoon a day.  Drink to keep hydrated which will lessen much of the symptoms.

Continue to drink juices and plenty of fluids even after two or three days to ensure as much of the toxicity is eliminated from the system.

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Juice a small to medium sized beet root, two ribs of celery and a small bunch of spinach.  Add a teaspoonful of spirulina powder for its B vitamins. 

Warning: this juice is very potent for detoxifying.  Drink with it plenty of water to flush out the toxins.

Beet root juice not only cleanses the liver but also help detoxifies the entire system of alcoholic toxicity.  Celery is a great source of calcium and magnesium that have a calming effect on the central nervous system.  Spinach is highly cleansing and building and is essential for the body's circulatory system, especially to the brain. 

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Juice and drink a cup of cauliflower, a cup of broccoli with an apple and two oranges.  (To get the most juice from cauliflower/broccoli, use a gear juicer).

Calcium and magnesium (from both cauliflower and broccoli) are an essential combination that can help prevent and relieve headaches.  If you encounter a hangover headache the next day, juice and drink the above combination two or three times or until the headache subsides.  Vitamin C is needed to continually detoxify your system.
 

Drink as much cantaloupe and watermelon juice as you can.  Being diuretic fruits, these really help to flush out the toxicity from your system.
 

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Juice and drink a small-medium sized bitter melon, half a grapefruit and a whole lemon, including peel.

Warning: This juice is like an extremely bitter medicine but highly effective.  Do not attempt to drink this juice if you cannot stomach the bitterness.

The bitterness in bitter gourds and grapefruits make them beneficial in the treatment of hangover.  They are excellent in the cleansing, repairing and nourishing of the liver that are affected from too much consumption of alcohol.  The high content of vitamin C in grapefruit and lemon continues the necessary detoxifying work.

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