New Year’s Eve is accompanied by various types of celebrations. With almost two-thirds of drinkers in the UK overindulging over the celebratory season, hangovers have become somewhat of a convention. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent a crippling hangover in the morning – starting with keeping hydrated.

What Causes a Hangover

That nausea-inducing sensation after a night of alcoholic overindulgence is part of your body’s inflammatory and metabolic reaction to Ethanol - the intoxicating ingredient in alcohol. Ethanol is a diuretic chemical that increases your need to urinate, intensifying dehydration and leading to that displeasing phenomenon called a hangover. In 2019, research revealed that almost 61% of drinkers in the UK overindulge in alcohol over the celebratory season. While 18% suffer from more hangovers than usual (source: Drinkaware). Apart from the expected headache, hangovers can also produce psychological symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and depression.

How to Prevent a Hangover

Preventing a hangover starts with drinking enough hydrating fluids to counteract the effects of Ethanol. A good rule of thumb is to stick to one alcoholic drink per hour, giving your liver enough time to break the alcohol down (source: Cosmopolitan). Overstep that mark and you’re more likely to experience a hangover the next day. Eating a hefty meal before moving on to the bubbly is also advised. Robert Swift, MD, associate director of the Brown University Center, says: "When you drink alcohol on an empty stomach, it just passes the alcohol right to your intestines and then it’s absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly.”

Importance of Hydration

Hydration is essential to keeping your body functioning. Your hydration levels transport nutrients to cells, regulate body temperature, prevent infections from developing and keeps lungs moistened so you can comfortably breathe. Being optimally hydrated also improves your sleep quality, cognition, and mood. When too much alcohol knocks your hydration levels out of whack, it begins to harm your organs - especially your kidneys. Your kidneys have an essential job of filtering for harmful substances. Alcohol causes change in the function of the kidneys and makes them less able to filter blood. Alcohol also affects the ability to regulate fluid and electrolytes in the body (source: National Kidney Foundation) which is why drinking water alone isn't enough.

Plain Water or an Isotonic Drink?

Water is one of the smartest drinks, but it lacks certain ingredients that an isotonic drink offers. Namely, minerals and electrolytes. Fluids and electrolytes are equally essential, and our body relies on both to function. Electrolytes are electrically-charged minerals found in our blood, urine and sweat. Consuming too much alcohol causes an electrolyte imbalance by increasing fluid loss through urinating and vomiting. An isotonic drink like iPRO Sport Edition contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium that brings the fluid and salt balance back to an optimum level.

B vitamins have long been praised as hangover helpers because they essentially reduce the symptoms. In particular, vitamins B6 and B12 aid the metabolism process in your body and supports the healthy functioning of your nervous system. The B vitamin complex and its curative benefits can be found in a delicious bottle of iPRO Sport Edition, bursting with nutritional goodness for the mind and body.

Beat the hangover with a hydrating bottle of iPRO Sport Edition. Grab a 24-bottle case in Orange & Pineapple, Citrus Blend, Mango, and Berry Mix for less than £1 a bottle at iPRO.Direct, with free delivery to your door.