What helps against a hangover?

Prevention is better than cure
You've probably heard and read it before, what helps against a hangover? “Do not drink alcohol” is then said. Of course, this isn't the answer you're looking for, but it's the best way to avoid a hangover. Alcohol is converted into acealdehyde in your body. This is a toxic substance that causes that hellish headache, but also the nausea and shakiness are symptoms that many  recognize. Fortunately, your body also contains a body's own antioxidant called glutathione, which converts the acetaldehyde - the toxin - into a substance that your body can simply burn. Unfortunately, this process takes a bit longer and results in a hangover. “But I still want to drink alcohol”, read on:

Did you know that people of European descent on average suffer less from hangovers than, for example, Asians?
During the Middle Ages and the time of the explorers, beer was often drunk instead of water. Beer was less polluted than water and had a longer shelf life during the long journeys. Here, of course, selection took place, someone who could handle alcohol and hangovers better, made it further than those who couldn't. Asians did not drink alcohol to keep water good, for example they made tea.

Eat eggs! - Prevents: especially the headache -
Preferably raw, but in any case not over-cooked or well-done. An egg contains a lot of cysteine that birds need to build their feathers, among other things. When heated, you destroy this amino acid. We use cysteine to build up the body's own antioxidant glutathione and let this substance be very important to remove acetaldehyde (the toxic breakdown product of alcohol).

What also helps is taking nutritional supplements that contain at least Cysteine and Glutathione!

Why is the Dutch fried egg with a slice of bread called an “Uitsmijter” (a door bouncer)?
In the old days, the innkeeper served his guest a slice of bread with a fried egg when his inn is closing. This was to help his guest to prevent a hangover. At the time people had to work much longer compared to these days, so most often they needed to work the next day. When someone did not show up or not performed well enough, they get fired. Without work, no paycheck and without paycheck less customers for the innkeeper.

Drink enough water. - Partially prevents headaches and thirst -
Alcohol dehydrates your body. Alcohol inhibits the production of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which ensures that fluid from your kidneys returns to your bloodstream and is not passed out. Less fluid in your body causes narrowing of your blood vessels, which causes headaches, among other things. Alcohol also has a narcotic effect, so you do not feel these signals while drinking. You will only notice this the next morning when the narcotic effect of alcohol has worn off, but the dehydration remains.

Solution: Just drink a few glasses of water during or after drinking alcohol.

Did you know that the proverb "to add water to the wine" comes from here?
In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans often did this to prevent hangovers. The pagans did not do this, by the way, barbaric! It now has a completely different meaning.

Eat enough. - Prevents: lethargy and lethargy -
Don't go to bed on an empty stomach, but also eat enough after getting up! When you drink alcohol, such as beer and mixed drinks, you consume a lot of carbohydrates and sugars. This greatly increases your blood sugar. Your body then produces more insulin to keep your blood sugar level constant. After drinking too much alcohol, your body has often made too much insulin, which in turn causes you to get too low a blood sugar level. That is why a hangover is also associated with lethargy and lethargy, your muscles lack sugars and therefore energy. Therefore eat enough, then you can prevent this! By the way, preferably not too greasy, read on why.

Did you know that alcohol alone does not make you fat?
The problem lies with eating after drinking alcohol. Alcohol is converted to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid. Acetic acid is a good fuel. That fries at the end of the evening will also partly store your body in fat.
“Should I eat or not?” Yes, a bit contradictory, but which do you prefer? A hellish hangover or 1 day too many carbohydrates?

Avoid fusel alcohols. - Prevents: headache -
Alcoholic drinks contain other types of alcohol in addition to alcohol (ethyl alcohol). These types of alcohol are called fusel alcohols and occur in very small quantities. They are toxic, are broken down more slowly than alcohol and are still present in the blood the next day. The severity of the hangover also has to do with the amount of fusel alcohols. Beer and vodka contain the least and plum brandy the most fusel alcohols. But beware, several red wines contain these Foezel alcohols. So if you want to avoid these fusel alcohols, stick to properly distilled spirits or beer.

Prevent gastric mucosal irritation. - Prevents: nausea -
Alcohol irritates the gastric mucosa. This causes that recognizable nausea the next day. how to protect your gastric mucosa while drinking? To avoid further irritation, do not eat or drink foods that cause this, for example: peppermint, fatty foods, foods with a lot of spices, onion, chocolate, acidic drinks or soft drinks.