These days as people look toward healthier lifestyles, it seems like everywhere you turn, there’s a new supplement for preventing hangovers. While some people opt for non-alcoholic elixirs, plenty of people still enjoy imbibing the traditional stuff. When that’s the case, there are some things you can do to minimize the negative effects to keep an eye on your overall health and long-term health goals. Alcohol digestive aids are one way to prevent hangovers, alongside several other things you can do. Read on for more!

Alcohol Digestive Aids to Prevent Hangovers

Alcohol can be a challenge for our digestive systems, and as we age, it becomes increasingly hard to metabolize. Side effects can include dehydration, increased heart rate, heartburn, and of course the traditional hangover headache oftentimes accompanied by a not-so-happy belly. While the easy answer is to simply avoid alcoholic beverages, we understand that a great cocktail, craft beer, or well-aged wine can be a blissful indulgence once in a while! So just how do you prevent hangovers and do all of those alcohol digestive aids actually help you metabolize alcohol more?

The short answer is sort of. Truth be told, some work better for some people than others, and a lot has to do with your individual body and metabolism. Genetic factors play a role in how we process and metabolize alcohol, as does our overall health status and regular daily diet. Someone who is active, eats a relatively clean healthy diet low in sugar and processed foods and high in leafy greens and healthy proteins, and stays hydrated is far less likely to experience some of alcohol’s negative side effects than people who are not so health-conscious. 

Various alcohol digestive aids are available to help prevent hangovers, but there are other options, too.

Depending on how you eat and drink will have an impact on which hangover prevention supplements will work for you. An individual who tends to have issues with low salts is going to be more prone to dehydration but reaching for the Gatorade or Pedialyte isn’t always the answer. Loaded with sugars and carbs, athletic and energy drinks can actually disrupt your digestion further. Supplements that have quality electrolytes without added sugars and other preservatives are the better options here. Bear in mind that with any electrolyte supplement you still need to drink lots of water otherwise the supplement won’t be effective and can even make you feel worse!

Many morning-after hangover remedies include aspirin or other painkilling medications which may help when you already wake up feeling less-than-deal after a night of over-imbibing. These types of remedies and supplements can help you feel better in the short-term, but often provide less value when it comes to your overall health. Again always be sure to drink lots of water and both before and after you drink any alcoholic beverages as proper hydration is the #1 key factor in preventing hangovers.

Metabolize Alcohol Naturally

Oh, if only it were that easy! Unfortunately, as we age, our metabolism slows down and this holds true for the consumption of alcohol as well. While alcohol digestive aids can prevent hangovers, they’re not the only option for you should you choose to party it up (in moderation, please!) from time to time. Some other options include hydrating before, during, and after you drink alcoholic beverages. This will go a long way to staving off that hangover headache the next morning! And of course, there’s more than just hydration that can help you feel more human after a night on the town.

Get a good night’s rest! It sounds easy, but alcohol consumption can disrupt sleep patterns and cause you to sleep even worse, thus increasing the chance that you wake up feeling hungover. It’s best to stop drinking alcohol a few hours before you plan to go to bed for a better chance at decent sleep. This will also help reduce the chance of heartburn and other gastric discomforts by allowing your digestive systems to process what you’ve already consumed before lying down for the night. Just like how it’s best to not eat any large meals or even snacks before bed, the same holds true with alcohol.

Ok, so these tips help, but from time to time, we get it. You overdid it a little bit. What now? Drink up – water that is! Try whichever alcohol digestive aid you prefer, drink some sugar-free electrolytes, consider the tried-and-true aspirin, and hope for the best! Oh, and perhaps next time, take our advice and stick to all good things in moderation or even better, check out those alcohol-free alternatives known as mocktails for a guilt-free night!

Mocktails are an alcohol-free alternative that will leave you hangover-free in the morning.