7 Natural remedies for the morning after

It's that time of year when get-togethers are often well-drunk with New Year's Eve just around the corner. Many will celebrate with alcoholic drinks, although it's best to consume alcohol in moderation. Many will indulge in a few extra drinks because of the festivities. Here are our tips on how to avoid the morning after. 

The morning after: How to avoid it

You can modulate your alcohol consumption to avoid the undesirable effects of the next day. Here are a few tips you can use during the evening:

• Hydration: To remedy the headache and dizziness of the morning after, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the evening. Ideally, every alcoholic beverage should be accompanied by a glass of water, plus two glasses at bedtime. Stay away from sulfites, preservatives that aggravate dehydration.
• Drink on time: A healthy liver is capable of synthesizing one alcoholic drink per hour. To avoid liver overload and subsequent discomfort, it's best not to exceed this dose.
• Avoid colored alcohols: Colored alcohols are more damaging to the liver, due to congeners. Congeners, produced by the fermentation of alcohol, are present in greater quantities in red wine, port and colored spirits such as whisky, bourbon and cognac.
• Avoid sugar: Excess sugar aggravates morning-after symptoms by causing hypoglycemia. So avoid sugary drinks by mixing strong spirits with carbonated water, lemon juice and fresh fruit pieces. Lemon juice also helps cleanse the liver, promoting better elimination of alcohol.
• Nopal cactus: When consumed a few hours before alcohol ingestion, Nopal cactus (Napolitos), reduces the effects of the day after the night before by over 60%.
• Vitamin C: Before bedtime, swallow a minimum of 1000mg vitamin C. This prevents the formation of acetaldehyde, a metabolite resulting from the "digestion" of alcohol, responsible for morning-after symptoms.
• Magnesium : Visit magnesiumlike vitamin C, activates the liver enzymes responsible for alcohol metabolism, improving its elimination. Magnesium also promotes better sleep and fights dehydration, anxiety, aches and heart palpitations, many of the symptoms of alcohol intoxication.
• Activated charcoal : Although science has yet to prove the efficacy of activated charcoalmany report that 4 to 5 capsules at bedtime help eliminate excess alcohol.

The day after the night before: Taking care of yourself naturally

Get rid of uncomfortable morning-after symptoms with the following remedies:

• Hydration: Dehydration can be corrected with coconut water. Rich in electrolytes, coconut water is an effective way to restore hydration levels. Green juice is also recommended. Rich in minerals and antioxidants, it will restore nutritional reserves and energy levels.
• Red ginseng : Red or Siberian ginseng has long been known as a remedy for the morning after. Look for red ginseng beverages and take one in the morning.
• Artichoke and milk thistle: Artichoke and milk thistle are bitter plants that promote liver detoxification. By consuming their juice or an encapsulated form, you will support the elimination of alcohol via the liver.
• B vitamins : Over-consumption of alcohol depletes B vitamin reserves, which are essential for liver detoxification. It is therefore essential to restore these vitamin levels by supplementing with 1 tablespoon of B complex complex the day after alcohol overconsumption.
• Vitamin C : Vitamin C is an ally at bedtime and the next day. Repeated doses of 1,000 mg over the course of the next day, and even in the days following alcohol overconsumption, will minimize the negative impact on the body while promoting better energy. 
• Physical exercise: It may seem counter-intuitive to engage in physical activity the day after a night out. However, sport improves lymphatic circulation, which helps to eliminate the toxins responsible for morning-after discomfort. For instant relief of morning-after discomforts, there's nothing better than going for a swim.
• The next day's meal : After consuming alcohol, many people turn to a meal in the evening. breakfast fatty, heavy meal. While satisfying, this kind of meal further overloads the liver, accentuating the unpleasant symptoms. Instead, start your day with a tomato or vegetable juice. The addition of salt and potassium will restore electrolyte levels. Then eat a breakfast protein with good fats (like an avocado or an egg), taking care to garnish the plate with green vegetables.

It goes without saying that it's best not to over-consume alcohol, and that La Boite à Grains doesn't encourage it. But we know you like to celebrate. That's why we're here to offer you advice and healthy products.

La Boite à Grains We wish you a healthy and happy New Year!

About the author

Naturopaths of La Boite à Grains

Team of licensed and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau, Outaouais.

Original article written by Véronique Cousineau, Naturopath