How to prevent a hangover before drinking: 6 tips that work like magic

The party season begins, so does the late nights, and celebratory toasts. While the fun is undeniable, waking up with a throbbing headache, nausea the next morning can quickly dull the memory of a great day. The truth is preventing a hangover does not start after the party, it begins before we even take a first sip.

Here are practical tips to prepare the body so we can enjoy the night without paying for it the next day.

Consume a proper meal

One of the most significant things to do is not drink on an empty stomach. Food retards alcohol absorption into the blood and allows the body to process it more slowly. Eat meals containing fats, lean protein, and carbs. This will fill you up and give you a gradual release of energy.

Hydrate early and often

Alcohol dehydrates the body in the form of increased urination and dehydration is one of the primary perpetrators of hangover, including headache, dry mouth and lethargy. Drink plenty of water the night before and not only the hour before going out. 8-10 glasses of water a day are quite standard, and other than that one can add coconut water, and lemon, to restore mineral lost due to alcohol's diuretic property.

Electrolyte load

Sodium, potassium and magnesium, all are necessary electrolytes, which keep the muscle functioning in balance. Drinking alcohol drains the minerals and leaves the person slow and drowsy. Eat foods like yogurt, bananas and green leafy vegetables, all of them will help balance again.

Nourish the liver naturally

The liver is your body's detoxification center, and alcohol metabolism places an added stress on it. While your liver is diligently working to metabolize alcohol, you can give it some support through antioxidant-containing foods and herbs. Some research indicates that certain ingredients such as turmeric, milk thistle, and dandelion root enhance the functioning of the liver.

Get a good night's sleep tonight

Don't enter a party already fatigued! Alcohol may affect you more intensely. Lack of sleep, compromises the body mechanism and the capacity for metabolising alcohol, and for recovering from its profound effects. Take good care that you have a 7-8 hour sleep prior to the event, in order to be in top form.

Be prudent regarding the drink options

Although this actually occurs at the party, part of being prepared is understanding what and how much you will consume. Don't blend it with sweet drinks, as these enhance alcohol absorption within the body and may disturb the stomach. Clear spirits such as vodka and gin tend to be less likely to produce hangovers than dark spirits such as whiskey or rum because they contain fewer congeners (fermentation byproducts).