The Healthy Drinker | Smart & Healthy Drinking Tips

Drinking and Headaches: Why and How

2012-02-15T20:16:46Z

What would it be like to live in a world where drinking didn’t give you a headache? For early risers who enjoy a late-night cocktail, it might sound like heaven.

Here in the real world, though, headaches are a common and tragic result of one too many the night before. Like G.I. Joe once said, though, “Knowing is half the battle,” and a little understanding of why and how alcohol causes headaches can go a long way.

Headaches caused by alcohol have two primary origins: 1) impurities in the booze occurring in the fermentation process and 2) its dehydrating effect on the body upon consumption.

The impurities in booze that can cause headaches, particularly “dark” drinks like red wine, sherry, brandy, bourbon and beer, are legion. Among the worst offenders are tyramine, histamines, cogeners and ethanol, which all act to rob the body of nutrients – notably essential sugars.

Dehydration can cause headaches as well, and alcohol is a diuretic that drains your body of fluid even as you pour it in. Ever notice how your frequency to the bathroom increases as you drink? It’s not just you – it’s everybody. The problem, aside from more standing in line, is that your body has a tendency to suck the water out of your brain to make up for the deficiency, which can leave you with a skull-crushing headache.

There’s no real way to avoid dehydration other than to compensate for the loss by drinking water, but people’s sensitivity to alcohol’s impurities varies. Some people are just more susceptible to headaches thanks to their genes, and if you’re one of these unfortunate few … walk softly, and carry a big bottle of aspirin.

Of course, I should remind everyone that our blog entries are for your information only and are not intended as medical advice. Because everyone is different, you should work with your medical professional to determine what’s best for you. If you’re going to drink, do it legally and responsibly; don’t be stupid. Drinkwel is the world’s first daily multivitamin for healthy people who drink alcohol. For more info, check out our site: www.drinkwel.com.

Hangover Foods You Didn’t Know Were Hangover Foods

2012-02-02T16:21:21Z

It seems like every website you visit has a recommendation the best hangover foods for the best hangover foods. We at The Healthy Drinker and Drinkwel always tend to be in favor of healthier options, but what is it about foods that make them good for the morning after, and are there other options?

The answer is … of course! Food isn’t magical – it’s essentially a combination of minerals and nutrients that our bodies need, and there are all kinds of good things to eat to make you feel better when the booze hammer falls on your forehead.

Below we’ve provided a list of four foods you didn’t know were hangover foods.

1. Ethnic Dishes

Sometimes it’s not just “one thing” that cures a hangover best; it’s a combination of foods that cover all the protein and nutrient bases.

The best among these one-shot deals is obviously a matter of taste, but there are some cultures that have a knack for making everything taste good. The next time you feel the hangover train bearing down think about a plate of Mexican or Thai food to help derail it.

2. Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This hangover cure is from the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Sipper) playbook and is pretty simple to understand … and to make.

The protein in cheese and the starch in bread pack a one-two punch that can really put the kibosh on a morning headache. The more the merrier, so don’t forget to pile it on.

3. Pho

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup with a fragrant blend of basil, lime and spices in a hot broth, often served with a meat or fish mixed into it.

Although food may not be magical, this may be the closest one can get when searching for a hangover cure. The smell alone will ease the fire in your brain, while the restorative herbs and proteins will put you back in the fight fast. This is a must try.

4. Bacon

And everybody thought it was the eggs! To be honest, eggs are great for hangovers, too, but bacon should share in the glory.

Bacon is full of protein, which the body breaks down into amino acids that the body needs, and some scientists have concluded that even the smell of it cooking has restorative properties.

Of course, for the ultimate cure, combine all four together and pencil in a full day of sleep and you’re sure to wake up feeling like a ray of sunshine… or incredibly bloated.

Drinkwel: Super Bowl XLVI Contest

2012-02-01T16:38:59Z

The Super Bowl is this weekend, February 5th at 3pm PST. We’ve heard that sometimes people enjoy a drink or two (or seven) during this annual event. Well, all we know is that if there’s drinking, we want to be involved. Also, if there’s guacamole at your Super Bowl party, please send an invite to contact(at)drinkwel.com ;D.

On to the contest… We’re giving everyone who picks the right winner a completely free 4-pack of drinkwel packets ($10+ value). However, you must follow the rules precisely:

1. Email your winning pick to contact(at)drinkwel.com and put “SB Contest” in the subject line.
2. Post a comment on this blog post with your winner.

Everyone who emails the correct winner to us and posts their correct winner on this blog entry winner will receive the free packets. Good luck!

This Vitamin Will Make You Feel Better About Drinking

2012-01-20T16:27:19Z

Drinkwel was featured this past week on Refinery29 and, with their permission, we are reposting the article here. Check it out:

This Vitamin Will Make You Feel Better About Drinking
by Annie Georgia Greenberg

Drinking in excess usually doesn’t end well for anyone, and it’s certainly not good for the bod, but you shouldn’t feel guilty about diving into a cool cocktail (or three) at events, parties, or even when you wanna veg at home. Enter multivitamin “drinkwel”— its replenishing nutrients supposedly “support healthy liver function, help process alcohol induced toxins, and more.” While it’s obviously important to imbibe responsibly, we think the “more” here is peace of mind that you’re not doing so much damage to your internal organs every time you indulge in some alky… that is, unless you’re drink of choice is Four Loko (throwback!).

Full Article

Drug Gives Rats Booze-Guzzling Superpowers

2012-01-19T16:25:22Z

A drug extract from the seeds of the Asian tree Hovenia dulcis, also known as the oriental rubber tree, is allowing rodents to drink large amounts of alcohol, pass-out less, be less hungover, and even avoid addiction after weeks of non-stop drinking. No word yet on why they aren’t sending medicinal batches to every fraternity around the country.

“I think it’s really pretty incredible that one study opens up avenues for so many angles,” says neuroscientist A. Leslie Morrow of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. We agree.

The specific drug is known as dihydromyricetin, or DHM, and has not shown any side effects, yet. Next up are human trials. We’ll try to keep a pulse on this one… Read the full article here.

ABCs of NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)

2012-01-04T20:57:36Z

At the end of the day, dealing with a hangover and protecting the liver from the ravages of alcohol comes down to chemical actions and reactions in the body; a molecular game played by the rules of biology.

One of the pieces in the game is N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a more easily absorbed metabolite of the amino acid cysteine. It is indispensible in the liver’s ability to break down the toxin acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol metabolism.

NAC occurs naturally in the body and is also consumed in the diet, although food is not a primary source and there are no particular foods that contain a great deal of it. Your body cranks it out readily enough, but if it doesn’t you can find it in supplements.

NAC is only one daisy in the chain, so to speak. With regard hangovers, NAC is especially useful in that it metabolizes into glutathione, a very powerful antioxidant used by the liver to detoxify alcohol. This antioxidant is depleted quickly when alcohol is introduced into the system and needs to be replenished.

Knowing this ahead of time can help you avoid a hangover and give your liver some added protection. Evidence suggests that NAC, especially when combined with thiamine, can neutralize alcohol-derived oxidants and avoid the negative effects of glutathione deficiency caused by alcohol consumption.

Drinkwel’s Holiday Boozy Gift Guide

2011-12-14T21:20:01Z

Admari’s KickAssam Tea

Secretly one of the best natural ways to recover the morning after a few too many. From their site: “KickAssam was crafted for your active lifestyle, with focus-enhancing and energy-boosting all natural ingredients.”

$11.99 – View Item

The Tipsy Vegan

Don’t need to be a vegan to love turning food into alcoholic food. Great recipes. Great pictures. A lot of healthier options, too.

$11.44 – View Item

The Hungover Cookbook

Better for hilarious hungover reading rather than actual recipe making. “Everything you need to know to assess, understand, and improve a hangover is here: dozens of comforting recipes, very clever graphic tests for analyzing your state of mind, and quizzes for tracking your progress.”

$8.00 – View Item

Just Chill

A nice alternative to energy drinks. Pairs with alcohol, too!

Recipe: Add 4 slices of cucumber and 5 mint leaves in a glass with ice. Combine 1.25 oz vodka and 5 splashes of Just Chill in a cocktail shaker. Shake very well. Poor into glass and garnish with a cucumber, if so desired.

$8.00 – View Item

Just for Fun:

Frozen Smiles Ice Cube Tray

Ice cubes that look like a pair of dentures. You’re welcome.

$10.57 – View Item

Bear Pong

Like beer pong, but WAY bigger. I actually have a set and love using it at the beach.

$64.95 – View Item

Flabongo

An on-the-go beer bong made out of a flamingo. Grandma would be proud.

$19.87 – View Item

The Beer Belly

Ever wanted your very own beer belly that you could actually drink out of?

$29.99 – View Item

Binocular Flask

A flask that looks like Binoculars.

$11.99 – View Item

Biased Recommendations:

Life of the Party Kit

The newest addition to the drinkwel family. Perfect for holiday festivals, secret santa gifts, bachelor / bachelorette parties or other special occasions.

$14.95 – View Item

Drinkwel 90-Capsule Bottle

The item that started it all for us.

$39.95 – View Item

In full disclosure, we have received free samples of some of the above gift items; however, we wouldn’t post anything we didn’t actually think was awesome. We’re also extremely biased in regards to drinkwel! And, of course, I should remind everyone that our blog entries are for your information only and are not intended as medical advice. Because everyone is different, you should work with your medical professional to determine what’s best for you. If you’re going to drink, do it legally and responsibly; don’t be stupid.

Artichoke vs. Alcohol

2012-02-02T16:18:53Z

Artichokes often get a bad rap due to their quirky appearance, preparation requirements and reputation as an uppity cosmopolitan side dish, but it turns out they may have a purpose after all.

Rumors have been circulating for some time that artichokes and artichoke extract may help cure hangovers, even resulting in the manufacture and marketing of artichoke drinks that would allegedly provide the party set with a speedier morning recovery.

While the drinks are likely more gimmick than gold mine, their time in the spotlight helps draw attention to artichokes as a good source of antioxidants. They also have a strong effect on the body’s enzymes that increase bile production and therefore aid in liver function.

Unfortunately, that may be where the good news stops for artichokes with regard to alcohol. While there is not a wealth of scientific data on the subject and so is not conclusive, studies that have been done indicate artichoke extract has no effect as a hangover cure.

Even so, some research has revealed that artichoke extract does help ease nausea and other abdominal pain that may or may not originate from a hangover, and its antioxidants do help stimulate liver function, so all is not lost when it comes to the perennial thistle.

Livers Love Bupleurum

2011-11-23T19:25:28Z

Luckily, you don’t have to be able to say it to reap the benefits of this common Chinese plant, the root of which has been in use since 280 AD.

The primary constituents in bupleurum that make it awesome are called saikosaponins, and they have anti-inflammatory properties as well as demonstrate the ability to inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells. This makes it well-suited in the treatment of problems associated with alcohol abuse, including liver cirrhosis.

Bupleurum, also sometimes called hare’s ear root or thorowax root, is particularly effective when combined with seven other herbs (pinellia tuber, scutellaria root, ginseng, jujube, licorice and ginger) to make a mixture called Sho-saiko-to that promotes the growth of chemicals in the body known as cytokines. These are thought to improve blood circulation to the liver and strengthen intestinal organs – all good things for someone who likes to tip a few back every once in a while.

Unlike other herbs with more questionable pedigree, ongoing studies show promise for the efficacy of saikosaponins, particularly in treating liver problems that can be brought on by alcohol consumption, like hepatitis and cirrhosis. The jury is still out and it’s likely no one will ever offer any guarantees on its performance, but studies have established that it’s highly unlikely it will hurt you to try it if your liver is taking a beating.

That’s good news for thirsty liver lovers everywhere.

Do You Kudzu?

2011-11-11T00:42:26Z

Hangover cures have been a popular topic for the alcohol-drinking public for around 2,000 years, which is about how long the kudzu flower has been part of the Chinese herbal arsenal against the aftermath of alcohol.

Not to be mistaken with the kudzu root, which is used to suppress alcohol intake, the kudzu flower is believed to help ease the symptoms of a hangover, including dizziness, headache, upset stomach and vomiting.

Tests have identified several different chemical compounds in kudzu that may aid in the more efficient removal of toxins such as acetaldehyde that are created when the body breaks down alcohol. The name of the Chinese kudzu-flower tea brewed to create this magical effect actually translates to “sober up,” which arguably adds a certain amount of weight to the claim.

The flipside of the argument is that no conclusive research has been conducted to indicate the kudzu flower has any curative properties, and the Food and Drug Administration has never been big on weighing in on herbal remedies.

It has been established that partaking in a little kudzu is not going to hurt you, and ongoing studies indicate it may provide numerous health benefits. Knowing this and considering the fact that kudzu is a notorious invasive species that is literally overtaking the Southeastern United States, adding it as a dietary supplement could be doing you and your planet a favor.