Podcast Summary
Starting the year with a 'being better series': Listeners can improve their mental preparation for the new year with daily 10-minute episodes, even if they're not yet back in their routine.
Podcast host Alexis Fernandez is starting the year with a "being better series," offering daily 10-minute episodes for the first 14 days of 2024. This series aims to help listeners get mentally prepared for the new year, even if they're still on holiday or not yet back in their routine. For those new to the podcast, Fernandez typically provides longer, 45-55 minute episodes with in-depth discussions on various topics. Listeners interested in deeper understanding of the concepts mentioned in the shorter episodes are encouraged to check out the back catalog for more detailed explanations.
Hangovers: Caused by Alcohol's Dehydrating Effects: Stay hydrated and eat food to help minimize hangover symptoms, but the best way to avoid one is to not drink alcohol at all.
Hangovers are caused by the dehydrating effects of alcohol on the body. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing you to lose more water than you take in, leading to dehydration. This dehydration can cause various unpleasant symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. While there's no surefire way to avoid a hangover, you can help alleviate its symptoms by staying hydrated, eating food before drinking, and pacing yourself while drinking. It's also important to remember that the best way to avoid a hangover is to not drink alcohol at all. So, if you're planning on partying this New Year's Eve, make sure to drink plenty of water and eat food to help minimize the negative effects of alcohol on your body.
Eating food and staying hydrated while drinking alcohol can help prevent hangovers: Consuming food and water while drinking alcohol can slow down absorption, prevent dehydration, and reduce the severity of hangovers by mitigating the negative effects of acetaldehyde
Consuming food while drinking alcohol can help slow down the absorption process and prevent the body from becoming overly dehydrated. This is important because dehydration, which can cause the brain to shrink and create tension between the brain and its surrounding membrane, is a major contributor to hangovers. Additionally, the body produces a toxic substance called acetaldehyde when metabolizing alcohol, which can be much more harmful than alcohol itself. Eating food and staying hydrated can help mitigate these negative effects and reduce the severity of hangovers.
Your liver runs out of enzymes and antioxidants when you drink too much, causing toxins to build up and lead to hangover symptoms.: Excessive alcohol consumption depletes liver enzymes and antioxidants, leading to toxin build-up and hangover symptoms. Congeners in alcohol can worsen hangover severity.
When you consume alcohol, your liver uses enzymes like dehydrogenase to metabolize it, but when you drink too much, your liver runs out of these enzymes and the antioxidant glutathione. As a result, toxins build up in your body, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Different alcohols can cause varying degrees of hangovers due to the presence of congeners, which are toxins produced during the fermentation process. The more congeners an alcohol contains, the worse the hangover will be. For example, red wine and dark liquor have more congeners than clear liquors like vodka, leading to more severe hangovers. However, even clear alcohols can cause hangovers due to the other processes discussed.
Hydrate and Replenish Nutrients for Hangover Relief: Drink water before bed and consume B vitamins and electrolytes during a hangover to mitigate symptoms and support recovery.
While the type and amount of alcohol consumed may impact the severity of a hangover, hydration and nutrient replenishment are key to mitigating symptoms. Before going to bed after drinking, it's essential to drink as much water as possible to prevent dehydration. During the hangover, consuming B vitamins and electrolytes, including sodium and sugars, can help restore energy levels and support the body's recovery process. While taking B vitamins before drinking may not be beneficial, having them after a night of drinking can aid in reducing the negative effects of alcohol on the body. Additionally, consuming electrolytes can help replenish what is lost through urination and sweating during alcohol consumption. Overall, prioritizing hydration and nutrient intake before and during a hangover can help alleviate symptoms and promote faster recovery.
Taking Care of Yourself During a Hangover: Stay hydrated, exercise lightly, and be patient with your body during a hangover to help alleviate symptoms.
While there's no cure for a hangover, taking care of yourself can help alleviate some symptoms. This includes staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water before and after drinking alcohol, which can help reduce the severity of a hangover. Light exercise can also be beneficial, as it increases blood flow and helps the body eliminate toxins. However, it's important to remember that a hangover is the body's way of recovering from the damage caused by alcohol, so it's important to be patient and give yourself time to heal. Additionally, be kind to yourself during this process and try to minimize stress and negative self-talk. Remember, everyone's body reacts differently to alcohol, so what works best may vary from person to person. As always, be sure to check out the full episode for more information and resources.
