I’m an expert – here’s why some people get raging hangovers – and how you can fix it

LET’S face it, whether you’re out with your mates having a beer or at home relaxing with a glass of wine, most of us enjoy a tipple.

Some people can wake up feeling as fresh as a daisy after a night on the booze, but many of us struggle to make it out of bed before midday.

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One expert has revealed your hangover might not all be down to the booze you consume[/caption]

If you fall into the latter camp, it can feel like you have wasted countless hours hugging the toilet bowl.

You might also curse your pals who are seemingly fine.

So why do some people get worse hangovers than others? 

Nutritionist Lara Hughes says you need to understand what a hangover actually is.

Alcohol is a diuretic and therefore increases how often you urinate – making it a potent dehydrator.

Lara, founder of Wholistic Health by Lara said while being dehydrated is a major part of having a hangover, the whole picture is a lot more complex…

IT’S GENETIC

Lara said our genes are partly to blame for frequency and hangover severity.

The guru cited a 1972 study on 14,000 twins that found a 50 per cent correlation between how likely they were to drink, how severe the hangover was and other factors such as health, nutrition, medications and drug use.

“Another study on nearly 5,000 twins found a 40-45 per cent genetic influence over hangover frequency and hangover resistance,” she added.

POISONING

You might roll your eyes when people say drinking too much will give you alcohol poisoning, but Lara says this is actually true.

It’s because of the way your liver breaks booze down.

“The liver breaks down alcohol through the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase into acetaldehyde – a compound (and carcinogen!) that is thought to be between ten to 30 times more toxic than alcohol itself,” Lara explained.

Then, this is further metabolised into non-toxic acetic – which is a clear colourless liquid  which in some forms, can be harmful to humans.

Some people, she explained, mostly those of East Asian descent, have genetic variations which increase how much of an effect booze has on them.

This usually goes hand in hand with other mutations which slow down the breakdown of other toxins.

“This results in much higher accumulation, and slower clearance, of the toxic compound – leading to immediate ‘flushing’ (in the East-Asian population, known as the ‘Asian glow’) and the collection of symptoms we know all-too-well – nausea, vomiting, headache, irritability, lethargy, flushing, sweating, depression.

“Of course, the reverse also applies. If you know someone who seemingly always ‘dodges the bullet’, it might mean they have less efficient metabolism of alcohol into acetaldehyde – and quicker clearance.”

Lara explained that booze also contains other compounds like histamine, which is why some people get a rash – especially if they already suffer from hayfever.

And headaches can be down to acetone and methanol, which are produced during fermentation.

Lara adds: “They’re highest in darker spirits (especially whiskey and red wine) and least in clear spirits (gin, vodka), alongside sulphites, all of which worsen headaches.

“Alcohol dehydrogenase is also quite inefficient at metabolising methanol, so it’s prone to linger in the body anyway – but this is especially the case for those who are genetically slow clearers, prolonging the dreaded hangover!”

IT’S IN YOUR HEAD

Sometimes how we are feeling physically can have an impact on how our brain works.

Lara explained that two of the most important neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in your brain and central nervous system) are GABA (calming, slowing) and Glutamate (excitatory, activating).

Most of the time they are balanced – but a night on the booze can increase GABA, and dampen areas of the brain that you use for good judgement and consciousness – with all those bad decisions now making sense.

The process also blocks glutamate, which makes it difficult to form new memories.

“Again, if you’re especially prone to the cognitive impact of alcohol, you could have variations in your genetics which impact how long toxic compounds linger in your system – including your brain,” she added.

HOW CAN MY DIET HELP

Despite a recent rise in popularity of hangover medications, Lara said that when it comes to hangovers, there is no magic pill.

However, good nutritional practices can help.

This is because booze depletes nutrients including vitamin B.

Considering a good multi-vitamin, such as Evity multivitamins, which contains B Vitamins alongside vitamin C and D, selenium, zinc – helpful across the spectrum. 

“Rich food sources of B-vitamins, anti-inflammatory antioxidants (and other nutrients!) can also be found in avocados and beans (red, black, pinto), so including these in your diet can support cognition and reduce post-binge blues.”

Lara added that Omega-3 is also a key nutrient for reducing inflammation.

Using an EPA-rich supplement (potent anti-inflammatory) such as Norsan’s Omega-3 Total Capsules can be greatly supportive in reducing hangover severity and promoting overall health. Good food sources include salmon, mackerel, walnuts, chia and flaxseed, she added.