Hangover Prevention: The Ingredient Geek’s Guide to Smarter Drinking

Most people think hangovers are purely from dehydration, but even if you hydrate well, there’s a lot more going on. Alcohol messes with your body in multiple ways—throwing off electrolyte balance, messing with hormones, stressing your immune system, and causing inflammation. So, chasing every cocktail with water is only a small part of the picture.

Why You Feel Like Crap After Drinking:

• Fluid Imbalance: Alcohol reduces antidiuretic hormone, causing water loss and dehydration. When you stop drinking, your body tries to retain water, making you puffy and giving you a headache.
• Electrolyte Chaos: Your kidneys and adrenal glands pump out hormones that mess with sodium and potassium, which is why hangovers can feel like a total body breakdown.
• Immune System Impact: Alcohol triggers thromboxanes, inflammatory compounds that cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, and the post-drinking “flu.”
• Congeners and Toxins: Darker drinks are higher in congeners, free radicals that stress your body’s detox pathways, leading to those nasty hangover symptoms.

Strategic Drinking Guide
To protect your body, here are some proven tips for before, during, and after drinking:

1–3 Days Before:

• Rest Up: Bank some extra sleep if you know a night out is coming.
• Healthy Fats: To protect your liver, emphasise monounsaturated and saturated fats (like EVOO and coconut oil). Avoid processed oils and high omega-6 intake.

The Day Of:

• Get Moving: A quick HIIT session boosts your antioxidant levels and preps your liver for alcohol.
• Choline Boost: Egg yolks or liver help your liver function. Choline is critical to combat alcohol-induced liver stress.
• Healthy Oils: Take a spoonful of extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil. These contain antioxidants that shield your liver.

Before the Party:

• Light Meal, Low in Sugar: Think high-protein and plant-rich, like a kale and turmeric omelette or a fresh salad with beets and chicken.
• N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) & Vitamin C: NAC helps your body make glutathione, an antioxidant that detoxes alcohol. Vitamin C works synergistically with NAC.
• Bone Broth Power: A cup of Gevity Rx Body Glue® provides glycine, which protects the liver from oxidative damage.

During the Party:

• Quality Over Quantity: Opt for clear spirits like organic vodka or tequila. Avoid sugary mixers and add a splash of lemon or fresh herbs instead.
• Electrolyte Boosts: Add a pinch of Celtic sea salt to your water and sip on Gevity Rx Body Glue® to maintain electrolyte balance and support hydration.
• Stay Active: Dance, walk, or move around to keep your metabolism humming.

Post-Party Recovery:

• Rehydrate Wisely: Mix mineral water with lemon juice and a pinch of good salt.  Or, just drink bone broth!
• Magnesium Magic: If you didn’t take any before, now’s the time. It’ll also help with sleep and muscle relaxation.

Activated Charcoal: Only if you suspect impurities or toxins, as it won’t absorb the alcohol itself.

At Gevity Rx, we believe you can enjoy life’s pleasures without sacrificing your health. Whether you’re raising a glass to celebrate or indulging in festive treats, strategic choices can help you stay balanced, energised, and inflammation-free. From pre-party prep to morning-after recovery, these tips are your go-to guide for smarter celebrations that let you enjoy the moment and the days after. Here’s to sipping, swapping, and savouring – all while keeping your gut happy and your body thriving.

Cheers to indulgence, minus the inflammation.