Hangovers 101…

Ever thought your hangovers are getting worse with age?  Well, you aren’t imagining things - there is actually scientific evidence as to why this occurs. 


First off, let’s break down what is happening in your body when you’re feeling hungover. Headaches begin to occur due to dehydration as well as your brain vessels dilating in response to alcohol. One of the other main symptoms of a hangover is nausea. The inflammation in your stomach lining caused from alcohol creates more acid which leads to nausea and stomach pain. Yikes… Nothing that a little food, water, and rest can’t fix though!

 

It is no secret that alcohol becomes more difficult to metabolize as you get older. The liver is working hard to break down the alcohol into acetaldehyde. This acetaldehyde then gets further broken down into acetate using those same enzymes found in your liver. At this point, the acetate is non-toxic for your body, so you start feeling better. When there is more alcohol in your liver than can be broken down, the acetaldehyde is released into your bloodstream. This is the main factor that causes all those yucky feelings associated with a hangover. As people age, their liver slows down, and therefore cannot process the alcohol as quickly as it used to. This is what creates those longer lasting and more intense hangover effects. 


Though this information is not fun and glamorous, it is important to keep in mind while consuming alcohol. So, make sure to drink responsibly, but still have fun!!

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