Indulging in a large holiday feast while consuming cocktails may give the illusion of mitigating the effects of alcohol, but experts caution that it doesn’t prevent hangovers and may even prolong recovery time. Despite the common belief that eating substantial amounts of food alongside alcohol slows down its release into the bloodstream, it also hampers the body’s ability to break down alcohol efficiently, potentially extending the duration of a hangover.
Dr. Hussain Ahmad, a consultant doctor at Click2Pharmacy in the UK, explains, “Although food is often recommended to accompany alcohol, it can slow how quickly your body metabolizes alcohol, meaning it takes longer to leave your system.” Nutritional scientist Clifford Stephan, founder of the sober support site Booze Vacation, emphasizes that while consuming a large meal might make you feel less drunk in the moment, it won’t contribute to a faster recovery from a hangover.
It’s essential to note that the solution is not excessive drinking on an empty stomach, as this can lead to severe consequences like fatal alcohol poisoning or alcohol-induced injuries. Drinking on an empty stomach accelerates alcohol absorption into the bloodstream, intensifying its side effects.
When alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach, it swiftly moves from the stomach to the small intestine, where most of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This rapid absorption intensifies the adverse effects of alcohol, affecting cognitive functions and coordination.
Dr. Ahmad explains that the body typically processes one alcoholic drink within one to two hours. However, consuming multiple alcoholic drinks slows down the body’s ability to metabolize and eliminate alcohol, leading to a prolonged presence in the bloodstream. It can take up to 12 hours for alcohol to completely leave the bloodstream.
After leaving the bloodstream, alcohol travels to other parts of the body, which can take days for complete detoxification. The body usually takes one to two days to recover from a hangover, with symptoms starting around 12 hours after drinking. Dopamine, the body’s feel-good hormone, decreases during a hangover, impacting mood.
Common hangover symptoms include thirst, headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, disrupted sleep, sensitivity to light and sound, and increased blood pressure. To avoid hangovers, experts recommend limiting alcohol consumption or abstaining altogether. There is no instant cure for a hangover, with time being the only effective remedy. Myths about coffee, showers, or specific foods curing or preventing hangovers have been debunked by experts.
While people often reach for coffee to alleviate hangover symptoms, it can be harsh on the stomach lining and worsen dehydration. Drinking water with sea salt is recommended to provide the body with essential electrolytes, although the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that there is no proof that electrolytes help with hangovers.
Hangover symptoms like constipation or diarrhea, caused by alcohol’s impact on the microbiome, may take an additional day to improve. While over-the-counter painkillers might offer relief for headaches, they can irritate the stomach lining, and acetaminophen should not be combined with alcohol due to potential liver damage.
The holiday practice of consuming a large meal while drinking may not prevent hangovers and could potentially extend recovery time. Moderation and responsible drinking remain key to minimizing the impact of alcohol on the body.
News Reference
New York Post, https://nypost.com/2023/11/29/lifestyle/a-big-meal-with-alcohol-can-make-your-hangover-worse-experts-say/.
