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Monday, May 31, 2010

The Hangover

Drinking More Alcohol, aka Hair of the Dog: This is quite likely the most heavily toted hangover cure in the boozin'-recovery handbook. Unfortunately it's completely ineffective. Drinking when you're suffering from a hangover makes you—temporarily!—feel better simply because alcohol dulls your senses. You could just as easily prescribe a double-shot of Tequila as a "remedy" for bashing your thumb with a hammer.

You might achieve temporary relief from your hangover—if it works at all—but you'll just prolong the agony. Your body has to process all the toxins you spent all night shoving in it (delicious or not, alcohol is no wheat-grass smoothie when it comes to being body-friendly), and giving it more just extends the timetable.

Beer and food made easy

Pale Ales - Salads, light appetizers, fish and seafood

India Pale Ales (IPAs) - IPAs can stand up to a little more richness and flavor. They can go well with things like pulled pork, pizza, and fried chicken, as well as lighter salads and seafood dishes. And if you like heat, try an IPA with spicy food - the hoppiness really pumps up the spice quotient!

Hefeweizens and Wheat Beers
- Fruit dishes, dinner salads, grain salads, and desserts made with warm spices (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg).

Amber Ales
- Ambers are a good middle-of-the-road beer and go well with just about anything: burgers, grilled cheese, roast chicken, soups and stews

Stouts and Porters - Barbecue, stews, braised dishes - any kind of meat dish, really. Also rich desserts with chocolate and espresso flavors.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The HangOver

1.

Lots and lots of beer...it can be a bad idea.
Lots and lots of beer...it can be a bad idea.
Know your limits. 75% of people who imbibe alcohol to intoxication will have a hangover the next day. The number of alcoholic beverages it takes to reach a state of intoxication varies from person to person. Don't have more than 3 beverages in 1-2 hours, and no more than 5 beverages in one night.[2] Women and people of Asian descent might want to consider having a little less because they are more susceptible to hangovers. Women tend to have a lower metabolic rate due to a higher ratio of body fat and Asians tend to have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that breaks down alcohol.


2.

Eat before going out so alcohol isn't absorbed as quickly.
3.

Have a glass of milk before alcohol. It coats the lining of your stomach and slows the absorption of alcohol.
4.

Choose light liquors (vodka, gin) over dark liquors (brandy, whiskey). They have fewer congeners, which contribute to hangovers.[1] Overall, alcoholic beverages with more chemicals produce worse hangovers. Red wine is one of the worst culprits.[3] A study found that hangover symptoms varied by the type of alcohol consumed: (in order of decreasing severity) brandy, red wine, rum, whisky, white wine, gin, vodka, and pure ethanol.
5.

Stick with noncarbonated mixers. Carbonated mixers accelerate alcohol absorption.[1]
6.

Choose less concentrated alcoholic beverages. Beer is better than shots of whiskey, for example.
7.

Stick with one type of alcohol. Variety is not the spice of life in terms of a hangover.
8.

Stay hydrated. Alcohol makes you urinate more, which can lead to dehydration. Have a glass of water before, during, and after consuming alcohol. The processes that break down alcohol also produce lactic acid and other chemicals that interfere with the production of glucose (sugar) and electrolytes; that's why sports beverages are a good idea.[2] Avoid caffeinated beverages - those make you urinate more, too. Have one glass of water after each alcoholic beverage. It keeps you hydrated and can also slow your alcohol consumption.
9.

Be happy. Research suggests that guilt about alcohol consumption, a neurotic personality, becoming angry or depressed while consuming alcohol, and having suffered "negative life events" in the past 12 months are better predictors of symptoms of hangovers than how much or what alcohol you consume during the night!