Madelyn Fernstrom, the Diet and Fitness Editor for The Today Show, discusses hangover remedies that will come in handy if you overindulge on New Year's Eve. Of course, the best hangover remedy is not to get one in the first place, but if you are determined to indulge -- and make sure you're not driving if you do -- there are some things that will make the morning after less onerous, such as staying hydrated. Take a look:
Study: Bourbon Produces Worse Hangovers Than Vodka
An important new study reports that a hangover caused by drinking bourbon is much worse than a hangover caused by drinking vodka. Cognitive impairment because of drinking is the same with either drink. But you'll feel worse after drinking the bourbon. This is especially bad news for those that like to spike the holiday eggnog with a good dollop of bourbon.
It's not just the alcohol that causes hangover symptoms, which are also caused by toxic substances called congeners. Human bodies and congeners do not mix very well.
The authors weren't simply looking at the effects of alcohol, however. They were specifically interested in the levels of toxic substances called congeners in the alcohol. These compounds are byproducts of alcohol fermentation, and they are partly responsible for the alcohol's color. Darker liquors and wines have more congeners than lighter ones -- for instance, the amount of congeners in bourbon is 37 times the amount in vodka, according to the study.
"While the alcohol alone is enough to make many people feel sick the next day, these toxic natural substances can add to the ill effects as our body reacts to them," Damaris Rohsenow, a professor at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University, said in a statement.
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The results will be published in the March 2010 issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. The study was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Center for Research Resources, among others.
So, the darker the alcohol the worse the hangover. Got it.
In groundbreaking research that will have serious ramifications for college students everywhere, scientists have discovered that eating a hearty bacon sandwich -- say, a tasty BLT -- really will cure a hangover.
Researchers claim food also speeds up the metabolism helping the body get rid of the booze more quickly.
Elin Roberts, of Newcastle University's Centre for Life said: "Food doesn't soak up the alcohol but it does increase your metabolism helping you deal with the after-effects of over indulgence. So food will often help you feel better.
"Bread is high in carbohydrates and bacon is full of protein, which breaks down into amino acids. Your body needs these amino acids, so eating them will make you feel good."
Ms Roberts told The Mirror: "Bingeing on alcohol depletes neurotransmitters too, but bacon contains a high level of aminos which tops these up, giving you a clearer head."
Researchers also found a complex chemical interaction in the cooking of bacon produces the winning combination of taste and smell which is almost irresistible.
The reaction between amino acids in the bacon and reducing sugars in the fat is what provides the sandwich with its appeal.
Ms Roberts said: "The smell of sizzling bacon in a pan is enough to tempt even the staunchest of vegetarians. There's something deeper going on inside. It's not just the idea of a tasty snack. There is some complex chemistry going on.
This is clearly Nobel Prize-worthy research. Kudos to the researchers for this excellent piece of scientific detective work.
As New Year's Eve approaches, it is appropriate to delve into the science
of hangovers. What makes you feel so terrible after an evening of excess imbibing of alcoholic beverages? Well, for one thing it's the dehydration. But it's also a lot of other things. Lots of terrible chemical things happen inside a body that's been drinking.
Heart: Heart rate increases, possibly as a result of alcohol interfering with the body's nervous system. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to cardiomyopathy - damage to the heart muscle.
Liver: Alcohol cannot be stored in the body and so is broken down in the liver. In this two-step process, alcohol is turned into acetaldehyde, which then becomes acetate. However, this process is slow - one unit of alcohol is metabolised every hour. It is widely believed that acetaldehyde may contribute to the misery of the hangover, as accumulation in the blood causes rapid pulse, sweating, skin flushing, nausea and vomiting. Some people lack a molecule that breaks down this compound and become ill soon after drinking. Further, alcohol metabolism leads to an accumulation of fatty compounds in the liver and lactic acid in the body fluids. These inhibit glucose production, leading to low blood sugar.
Body temperature: Ever felt a bit hot under the collar when you're suffering with a hangover? Alcohol may interfere with the production of hormones that control the 24-hour body clock, leading to body temperature being abnormally high.
Stomach: Alcohol irritates the stomach lining and delays it emptying, leading to nausea and vomiting.
Kidneys: Alcohol affects the hormones that control water balance in the body. As a result, the kidneys fail to reabsorb water and the body becomes dehydrated.
Intestines: The intestines begin to work faster after alcohol is consumed and food and liquid take less time to pass through. The ability to absorb water out of the stools is also impaired, leading to diarrhoea.
Pancreas: Production of digestive juices is increased, leading to upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
As for hangover cures, most doctors cited in the article from The Times say just drink lots of water, take aspirin and go back to bed. The best way to avoid a hangover is to eat a big meal before drinking and limit how much you drink. Of course, if you're determined to tie one on on New Year's, be sure you have a designated driver or the number of a taxi service in your handbag.
