What is a Hangover?
Whether from drinking too much ourselves or from witnessing the consequences of our friend’s night out, we are all too familiar with the dreaded hangover. Hangovers can vary from person to person, but symptoms typically include a headache, muscle soreness, nausea, fatigue, sensitivity to light and sound, anxiety, irritability, stomach aches, and even increased blood pressure. These symptoms normally last at least 24 hours, but can go much longer, with some people feeling effects even days later.
No matter what your mix of symptoms tends to be, hangovers are the result of consuming more alcohol than your body can handle. While this might sound simple, many reactions are happening in the body that produce the feelings we commonly associate with a hangover.
What Happens in Our Bodies When We Drink Alcohol?
Every time we consume an alcoholic beverage, our bodies are thrown out of their natural state. This is why we tend to experience relaxation, a lowering of our inhibitions, and euphoria. But these feelings only last for a short period. Our bodies quickly react to the imbalance and take action to return us to homeostasis.
Some of these actions our bodies must undergo lead to gastrointestinal irritation and inflammation. Inflammation is one of the ways our body tries to rid itself of toxins. When alcohol is metabolized, it releases a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde, which contributes to tissue damage. Alcohol also increases the release of acid in our bodies and irritates the stomach lining. This is why we so often feel nauseous and have stomach pains after a night of drinking.
Another reaction is the production of the hormone vasopressin. Vasopressin signals our kidneys to retain fluid, causing us to urinate more frequently. As a consequence, we become dehydrated, resulting in the headaches, muscle soreness, and fatigue of a hangover.
The Best Cure For Your Hangover Symptoms
Sadly, there is no magic elixir that can make a hangover disappear. Nothing but time will cure a hangover. Luckily, there are a few remedies that are well-known to minimize your symptoms. One of the most common suggestions is a pain reducer like acetaminophen. Drugs like this can be effective, but they are also hard on your liver. Especially after processing so much alcohol already, it is in your best interest to proceed with caution before adding anything else to your system. For those who want to go the more natural route to easing their hangover symptoms, one of the best methods to utilize comes in the form of electrolytes.
An electrolyte is an essential mineral (like sodium, potassium, and magnesium) responsible for conducting muscle and nerve actions in the body. Unbalanced levels of these electrolytes lead to a disruption of normal bodily functions and in extreme cases, life-threatening complications. Dehydration causes a depletion of our body’s electrolytes. This is why it is vital to find a quick and efficient way to replenish the electrolytes that allow our body to recover.
How Electrolytes Aid in Recovery
We receive electrolytes through the foods and liquids we consume. On a normal day, there is really no need for a person to worry about the amount of electrolytes they are getting. Our meals and drinks usually provide us with adequate levels of these minerals. However, if we become dehydrated, replenishing our electrolytes as quickly as possible is important.
When it comes to a hangover, the most efficient way to rehydrate our bodies is the same way way they become dehydrated in the first place, by drinking. This time, the drink of choice should not be alcohol, but electrolytes!
Electrolyte-rich beverages offer us a way to rapidly rehydrate after a hangover, a hard workout, or anything that causes us to lose large amounts of fluids. These minerals quench our bodies’ thirst and help our cells hold onto water. 10X Health’s Electrolyte Packets are specifically formulated with a blend of essential minerals to promote optimal hydration and support everyday wellness. With their lemon-lime flavor, they are also a healthy alternative to add to your beverage rotation, even if you aren’t suffering from a hangover!
The next time you or your friend have had too much to drink, before reaching for the pain meds, try mixing up a packet of your favorite electrolyte beverage. Not only will you be helping your body rehydrate, but you’ll be giving your liver a much-needed break too.
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