Hangovers are the worst. An exciting night out could quickly become a morning punctuated by headache, anxiety, and fatigue. Does that mean you must skip every nighttime event to save your head?
Definitely not. While you may not always cure hangovers, you can find ways to prevent them. You can take natural vitamins or supplements before a heavy night’s drinking to reduce the effect of hangovers.
In this blog, we’ll highlight the best vitamins to prevent hangovers. We’ll also recommend supplements to cure a night’s hangover and refresh you in the morning.
1. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
The B vitamins are very critical to your body’s metabolism. Vitamin B1 enhances the brain and nervous system by metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Alcohol is a diuretic that depletes this vitamin because it reduces the amount of thiamine your body can absorb. Thiamine deficiency materializes as fatigue, weakness, and anorexia.
You should take B1 vitamins to make up for the deficiency caused by alcohol intake. To cure hangovers, you should supplement your body’s thiamine content.
2. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 is why your urine looks fluorescent yellow after taking multivitamins. Like other vitamins, riboflavin aids body metabolism and rejuvenates antioxidants.
Taking too much alcohol can lead to B2 deficiency, which creates other health problems. To avoid this, you can take high doses of riboflavin before having too many drinks.
It will keep your liver working perfectly to replace the lost vitamins and reduce the morning-after symptoms. Taking Vitamin B2 just before you take alcohol can reduce the impact of the hangover.
3. Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Niacin converts food substances into energy while keeping your nervous and digestive systems healthy.
Take some Vitamin B3 before you step out for drinks for less painful hangovers. It will reduce hangover symptoms like headache, stomach pain, sleepiness, and weakness.
Taking vitamins before going out to a party on a work night is most advisable. A vitamin B3 solution is a great place to start if you plan to prevent hangovers.
4. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6, a member of the B complex family, is directly involved with your body’s metabolism and functioning. Feelings of discomfort, restlessness, and headache could be linked to a depletion of B6 in your body.
To cure hangover symptoms like these, include Vitamin B6 in your diet. You can also opt for meals that supply your body with pyridoxine.
In the real sense, a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by an alcohol overdose will lead to tiredness and less energy.
5. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Your body needs B12 to produce red blood cells and create DNA. Even your brain and nerve cells cannot function due to a cobalamin deficiency.
When you’re intoxicated with alcohol, it’s advisable to take vitamin B12 supplements. There is no scientific link between alcohol and this vitamin, but you want to be safe.
B12 supplements can also reduce the effects of hangover symptoms. You’ll feel less pain, weakness, depression, or poor memory.
6. Vitamin C
Drinking reduces your immune system function by suppressing the normal immune response to irregularities. So, vitamin C, a powerful supplement that boosts your immune system health, is a good idea.
No scientific research proves that Vitamin C prevents hangovers, but it contributes to human liver function. Too much alcohol will limit your pancreas’ ability to absorb vitamin C.
Citrus fruits contain natural Vitamin C. Since your body doesn’t produce any Vitamin C, you must introduce supplements to your diet.
7. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a critical supplement that controls your body’s ability to absorb calcium and phosphorus. It’s also necessary for maintaining a regular immune system’s function.
You can find Vitamin D in a glass of milk. When you take a glass of milk after a hangover, it eases the symptoms of heavy drinking.
Milk contains vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins. It also contains vitamin A, which strengthens vision and replenishes any vitamin deficiency from alcohol.
8. Calcium
Alcohol upsets the electrolyte balance in your body, increasing your urine output and leaving you dehydrated. When you feel spent after a heavy night’s drinking, it makes sense to replace your calcium content.
You can take milk thistles just before you start drinking. It regulates the calcium balance and fosters your body’s ability to absorb calcium faster.
Like other electrolytes, calcium helps your liver break down toxic substances like alcohol. It may not directly prevent hangovers, but it can assist with your body’s hydration.
9. Magnesium
Magnesium is a powerful electrolyte responsible for over 300 reactions in the body. It supports DNA synthesis, healthy blood sugar levels, exercise performance, and better sleep.
Heavy alcohol intake is closely linked with magnesium deficiency. The best thing to do before drinking is to take magnesium.
Since alcohol is a diuretic that leaves you dehydrated, magnesium works with other electrolytes to maximize hydration. It also reduces the risk of migraines, depression, and anxiety resulting from hangovers.
10. Potassium
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Potassium contributes to liver health and the proper function of muscle and nerve cells. Adequate potassium content regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and body metabolism.
Note that alcohol interferes with average body functioning by causing a vitamin deficiency. It also leads to the loss of electrolytes, including potassium.
To prevent terrible hangovers, simply include potassium when taking water to replace what you lost to alcohol. Taking potassium with other electrolytes and vitamins will work magic.
11. NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
NAC facilitates the production of glutathione, one major antioxidant in the body. When you take NAC, it also helps the body to regulate glutamate.
What does this matter? Glutathione reduces hangover toxicity and contributes positively to liver functioning. Thus, NAC is an ideal vitamin to energize the liver to detoxify your body from all alcohol.
This vitamin has no significant side effects, essential for fighting hangovers without causing drowsiness. For safe uses, take about 200mg of NAC 30 minutes before your first alcoholic drink.
Conclusion
When planning for a fun night out, it’s good practice to replenish your body’s vitamins and antioxidants. This helps your liver metabolize toxins like alcohol faster.
That said, there’s no single vitamin that entirely prevents symptoms of a hangover. It’s better to combine supplements for a faster result.
For optimal results, take B complex pills (containing all essential B vitamins) and supplement with a glass of milk. You could also take an N-acetyl cysteine tablet and multivitamin a few hours before drinking.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
