How to make your next cocktail healthier and prevent a hangover

Ah, vacation mode, at last! You’ve packed, you’ve been through the airport, you’ve endured a long flight, you’ve checked into your beautiful hotel and have finally hit the beach. The only thing missing? A delicious drink (or two) in your hand.

There are ways to limit alcohol’s effects

While here at TMB we don’t promote drinking alcohol as a healthy or beneficial habit, we completely understand that sometimes, mama needs a cocktail. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to limit alcohol’s effects on your liver and ultimately prevent a nasty hangover.

How? How? We know you’re dying to know! Here are Dr. Bhat’s seven top tips to upgrade your next cocktail – and ditch the hangover!

HEALTHY DRINKING TIP 1: DON’T MIX SUGAR WITH HARD ALCOHOL

It might break your heart to say bye to super sugary drinks, but mixing sugar with alcohol is a recipe for a hangover. Sugar is an added driver of inflammation, which means when you mix it with alcohol your liver has to process both and will have a harder time detoxing. So, ditch the mixers, the syrups and even the agave and opt for drinking your cocktail on the rocks with a twist of fresh lemon or lemon juice. Still sweet and refreshing!

HEALTHY DRINKING TIP 2: CHOOSE YOUR WINES WISELY

If you’re really into vino, look for low sugar (under 3g/L) and low alcohol wines (12% or lower). Look for Spanish and French as they have the highest polyphenol content. Polyphenols are compounds that offer protection against oxidative stress and disease when combined with other dietary nutrients and antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids.

HEALTHY DRINKING TIP 3: GIN, TEQUILA AND VODKA FIRST

When it comes to alcohol, gin, tequila and vodka are the “cleanest” options, as they tend to be gluten-free and don’t contain any added sugar. Keep in mind, however, that not all vodka is gluten-free, so make sure you’re reaching for Tito’s or other gluten free brands!

HEALTHY DRINKING TIP 4:. ADD FRESH HERBS TO YOUR DRINK

Fresh herbs such as basil, mint and cilantro help metabolize alcohol. These herbs also contain antioxidants and electrolytes which help detox and hydrate. And if that weren’t enough, they carry a wide range of healing properties such as boosting immunity, balancing blood sugar and easing digestive systems. Herbs are officially your new favourite drinking buddy!

HEALTHY DRINKING TIP 5: DRINK A GLASS OF WATER BEFORE EVERY DRINK

Alternating every other drink with water will keep you hydrated and dilute the alcohol in your system, making it easier for your body and liver to process. You’ll also be slowing down your alcohol consumption by doing so, which means that your hangover the next day isn’t as severe. Who doesn’t love that?

HEALTHY DRINKING TIP 6: DRINK MODERATELY AWAY FROM MEALS

To avoid symptoms such as gas and bloating and to ensure you won’t disrupt the digestive process, make sure you save your cocktails for before or after you’re done a meal. It’s also best to stick to 1-2 drinks at one sitting and avoid drinking two days in a row.

HEALTHY DRINKING TIP 7: AVOID THE ADVIL

Contrary to popular belief you should not have Advil or Tylenol to counter your hangover symptoms. Ingesting either of these makes a hangover worse because both pills give your liver even more to detox!

HOW TO HAVE FUN, ENJOY ALCOHOL HEALTHIER AND PREVENT A HANGOVER

Indulging in a cocktail or two can be a lot of fun! Enhance that fun with TMB founder Dr. Bhat’s health conscious tips to keep the hangover away. Cheers to upgrading your next cocktail!

About The Movement Boutique in Toronto – Pilates, Chiropractic, Functional Medicine

Located on Yonge Street in Toronto, The Movement Boutique serves the areas of Summerhill, Rosedale and Yorkdale with Pilates classes and much more. Our philosophy is centred on a holistic, multimodal approach to health, grounded in the latest therapeutic techniques and clinical research. Our approach: Optimal health cannot be attained through a single therapeutic lens; injuries are often the result of a constellation of lifestyle issues, including dysfunctional movement patterns, trauma, nutritional deficiencies or destructive habits of mind.

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