Party season survival guide: Aberdeen GP’s top tips for dodging a hangover

An Aberdeen GP has outlined what you should do before, during and after your Christmas night out to help ease your potential hangover.

If the prospect of the morning after the night before fills you with dread, we might have the solutions for you.

Aberdeen GP Emma Windle has explained the dos and don’ts that could save you from being robbed of your festive spirit.

Be prepared: How to avoid a hangover

What should I eat?

First things first, load up on carbs before you head out. Pasta, rice, potatoes, you name it.

Having a full stomach will help slow down the absorption of alcohol into your system.

What should I drink?

Dr Windle has a few ideas for drinks to steer clear of if you’re trying to avoid a hangover.

Out:

• Fizzy drinks – these can speed up the absorption of alcohol
• Dark-coloured drinks like rum and red wine. These have higher levels of congeners – essentially, byproducts from fermentation – with studies linking them to worse hangovers.

In:

• Beer has lower levels of congeners, while vodka has essentially none – meaning they could give you less of a hangover the next day.

And while it might be obvious, have plenty of water. A glass between other drinks – and another before you go to sleep – will help keep you hydrated and stave off the effects of ethanol in our booze.

“It is a toxic chemical which causes us to make you need to pee more often and, as a result, we get dehydrated,” Dr Windle explains.

“It also increases the amount of insulin released which lowers your blood sugar, giving you that shaky, weak, tired feeling.”

It’s too late for that – how can I ease my hangover?

Rehydrate, rehydrate, rehydrate.

Dr Windle recommends a sports drink or something sugary like Irn-Bru to boost your blood sugar levels.

Ginger tea could also help stave off any nausea – but don’t go reaching for the coffee.

“Caffeine also makes you need to pee, and so can further dehydrate you,” she adds.

Try and have a big breakfast, which can also increase blood sugar levels, and take paracetamol for a headache or antacids for an upset stomach.

Dr Windle, who organises the Aberdeen Health and Wellbeing Festival, says heading back to bed can be a good idea – if possible.

But she has one final takeaway: “Do not drink more alcohol, this will not help and will only delay the inevitable.”