Waking up with a pounding headache after one too many festive drinks is a classic Christmas misery. However, a medical expert has shared a simple dietary tip that could help you avoid the worst of a hangover this holiday season.
The Cheese Board Defence
According to a pulmonary and critical care doctor who posts on TikTok as @neenziiemd, eating cheese before consuming alcohol can significantly reduce your risk of a hangover. With cheese boards being a staple of Christmas celebrations, the preventative measure is conveniently at hand.
The doctor explains that cheese is rich in protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates. These nutrients help to coat the stomach lining, which in turn slows down the rate of alcohol absorption into the bloodstream.
Furthermore, cheese can aid the body in metabolising alcohol more efficiently and may even offer some protection against liver strain. It also helps to replenish vital nutrients like Vitamin B and calcium, which are depleted when the body processes alcohol. Calcium supports nerve and muscle function, while Vitamin B is crucial for energy and metabolism.
The expert was clear to state that "No alcohol is better than any alcohol", but for those who choose to drink, having some cheese beforehand is a smart strategy.
How Many Drinks Lead to a Hangover?
So, how much does it take to trigger that infamous morning-after feeling? Dr Bhavini Shah, a GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, outlined the different stages of alcohol consumption and its effects on the body.
After just one or two units – where one unit equals 10ml of pure alcohol – heart rate increases, blood vessels expand, and people typically feel a slight 'buzz' and become more sociable. This is roughly the amount an average adult can process in an hour.
Between four to six units, alcohol begins to impair the nervous system. Reaction times slow and areas of the brain responsible for judgement are affected, leading to potentially riskier behaviour.
The hangover threshold for most people is around eight units. Dr Shah confirms that this is the point where you will have consumed more alcohol than your liver can process in one night. This quantity equates to approximately four pints of low-strength beer or cider (3.6%) or four standard 175ml glasses of wine.
"After eight units, your vision and sleep will be affected... resulting in a hangover," said Dr Shah. Consuming ten units or more leads to severely impaired coordination and can bring on symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, and intense headaches.
A Festive Note of Caution
While enjoying a piece of cheese before your festive tipple might help mitigate the effects, understanding your unit intake remains key. The NHS notes that a single pint of strong lager contains about three units, highlighting how quickly consumption can add up. This Christmas, a combination of mindful eating and awareness of drinking stages could be the secret to a more enjoyable – and less painful – celebration.
