The Benefits of Coffee for a Hangover
When you’re hungover, curing the dreaded symptoms is top priority for the day. All you want is to feel better, and fast. After all, no one wants to be stuck in bed or holed up on the couch, feeling sick and exhausted. Coffee could be the solution to getting rid of those crippling hangover effects.
Coffee has long been known to be a pick-me-up. It fits the criteria perfectly if you’re looking for that much-needed energy boost when you’re hungover. A cup of joe will help get the job done and give you the alertness you need, even after an all-night drinking session.
It’s not just the caffeine that has a role to play either. Coffee also contains antioxidants. This can help counter the free radicals your body has to deal with when you’re hungover. It can also be beneficial for helping your liver, as it promotes liver cell health.
Coffee can be viewed as having the superpowers you need for those after-party problems. This is why it has become a household cure for the day after. But it should be noted that it is best enjoyed in moderation; after all, it’s not that far off from energy drinks.
In addition, people who’ve done the research agree that it should be sipped over a long period of time, instead of gulped down in one go. This will help you avoid feeling jittery and nauseous, which are effects of having too much caffeine.
As with anything, there are always drawbacks, but caffeine is certainly one of the better options when it comes to battling a hangover. It may even ease your headache and other aches that have taken over after drinking. But beware; stick to one cup and don’t overindulge. Otherwise your hangover solution could turn into a nightmare!
Rehydrate
One of the most important things for your health when suffering a hangover are fluids. Drinks like water, sports drinks and special hangover drinks are all important for rehydration; something that is especially relevant after a night of heavy drinking.
Some people feel they have to avoid drinking more alcohol while they deal with the nausea and sickness that comes with a hangover. But sometimes a hair of the dog can actually help alleviate some of those symptoms, while boosting your spirits in the process.
Relying on caffeine alone is not the answer when you’re trying to fight a hangover. Caffeine is a diuretic that can actually make you feel more dehydrated, so it’s important to down some fluids at the same time. You may want to mix a sports drink with a cup of orange or cranberry juice for an added punch of electrolytes.
Eat Something
Drinking on an empty stomach can sometimes be a recipe for disaster. However, getting up the day after and forcing down food can sometimes be too much to ask for.
Not eating for long periods of time might make you feel even worse in the long-term. But, the key is finding the right balance of helpful foods that won’t make you feel like even more rubbish.
Toast with peanut butter is a great combination that is both fast and nutritious, proving itself to be great hangover fighter. Or, why not opt for a plate of grilled cheese with a side of sweet potato fries? The complex carbohydrates will help you feel fuller for longer, while providing the amino acids you need right now.
This is why it helps to eat before you start drinking; it will help prevent some of the more severe aspects of a hangover. But if you don’t, make sure you are still replenishing your body the day after and eating something with the right nutrients.
Take it Easy
When hitting the bottle a bit too hard, it’s important to remember that rest is essential. Hangover or not, your body needs to take a break and recover.
Make sure to get plenty of sleep and try to relax your body and mind. However, that’s usually easier said than done.
Heat can be good for providing relief from a hangover and help unblock those energy pathways. Sitting in the sun or having a hot water bottle at your stomach might provide the sensation of warmth your body needs, while drinking chamomile tea could also prove beneficial in calming the nerves and making you feel more refreshed.
The downside to this is that prolonging your recovery tends to give your hangover more time to take over. Dehydration and fatigue will remain, possibly even becoming worse as time goes on.
Feeling Better
Your body craving coffee after a night of drinking is a sign it’s time to re-energise. There is a strong chance coffee will help you feel better the next day, by helping to combat some of the most uncomfortable aspects of a hangover.
It is important to note that coffee might provide only a temporary solution. When drinking alcohol, your liver is put through a lot as it works to process the toxic substance. Coffee, and other caffeinated beverages, are not going to cure any ailments directly related to this process.
On top of this, it is essential to remember to drink water in between and with any other beverages. If not, your body will suffer the consequences of dehydration even more so.
No one expects a hangover to be fun, but with a few quick-fix solutions it can be more manageable. When it comes to waking up feeling ready to take on the day, coffee could be your saviour.
Take Time to Kick the Habit
Drinking coffee when hungover is not something you have to do on a regular basis. In the long-term, the necessity of it may indicate you have to consider ways to cut your drinking habit back.
People with excessive alcohol consumption have an even bigger health concern when it comes to drinking coffee. The combination of the two can create a feeling of caffeine overuse and leave you in a vicious cycle between the two. Both substances make you feel more alert, yet at the same time, when it wears off, you still feel tired or want to take a nap.
Getting to a place where you’re not reliant on coffee to get through a hangover is the key to long-term success. Be more conscious of your consumption and try to make healthier decisions.
In addition, other beverages like water, vegetable juice and coconut water are loaded with health-giving benefits that can help you along with the recovery process.
A Healthy Balance
It’s important to remember that even caffeine-lovers don’t need to overdo it. Caffeine won’t speed up metabolising the toxins in your liver and consuming too much can cause a caffeine-induced hangover that’s worse than the alcohol had been.
The key is finding the balance between relying on coffee and not relying on it too much when you’re hungover. If it comes down to needing a cup of joe in order to survive the next day, it definitely does not bode well for your relationship with alcohol.
Again, drinking coffee or any other caffeinated beverage when hungover is not something to take lightly. It should be noted that like anything else, caffeine should be taken in moderation in order to give your body time to recover and not rely on quick-fix solutions.
In the end, the most important thing is to make sure your drinking habits are kept in check and in line with healthy practice.
