Category: Drinking

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Best Alcohol to Drink For Health and Mental Wellbeing

best alcohol to drink collage

Choosing the best alcohol to drink can be tricky. We all want to live healthy and alcohol does have a place in a healthy lifestyle. One might argue that alcohol is a poison but same can be argued about orange juice. Getting fucked up is ingrained in our evolutionary biology and alcohol is not a bad way to do it.
The Center for Disease Control is now urging people of all ages to broaden the discussion on a healthy diet to include moderate consumption of alcohol. In fact, a moderate alcohol intake is supported not only by the CDC, but by The Mayo Clinic, and Harvard as well. A moderate intake is defined as one drink for women and two for men per day. Let’s take a closer look at some of these potions in closer detail.

Beers

Most will agree that the best alcohol to consume on a hot summer’s day or while enjoying your favorite ball game is a nice cold beer. The barley and hops that goes into a typical 12-ounce beer make it richer in B vitamins than either wine or cider. Beer is also higher in protein, so if you’re going to indulge in an alcoholic drink beer is a good choice. If this is your intoxicant of choice, it is worthwhile for you to learn more about some of beer’s other interesting benefits.

Keep in mind that beer is typically lower in alcohol by volume so its effect on the body can be slower to recognize. Thus, people often drink more beer than what would be considered a moderate amount. Beer also contains gluten which can interact with the immune system. For those with celiac disease, beer is not the best alcohol to drink so let’s take a look at some other favorites. Lastly, beer is comparatively high in carbs so overconsumption can be an issue if you’re on a keto type diet. The chart below shows how many carbs (in grams) can be found in popular brands of beer.

beer- best alcohol to drink
Carbs (in grams) in popular beer brands

Red Wines

Some grapes used in making red wine are high in fiber, making a five-ounce serving of wine the best alcohol to drink if you are looking for a potential aid in lowering cholesterol levels. Studies in Spain saw a decrease in the LDL cholesterol (the bad one) of around 10% on average for participants. This coupled with the antioxidants usually found in red wine, make it the best alcohol to drink for lowering the risk of heart attacks. The carotenoids in red wine also help to reduce the risk of cataracts and other degenerative eye diseases.

The alcohol content in red wine varies greatly, so pick one with a lower alcohol by volume. Another risk with consuming red wine is the lectins that remain after it is processed. These lectins are proteins that are better able to withstand the digestive enzymes in the stomach, making them harder for the body to break down. People with IBS or existing allergies may be prone to the nasty side effects of lectins, which can induce anaphylactic shock.

wine - best alcohol to drink
Carbs (in grams) per serving of wine.

White Wines

Similar to red wine, a five-ounce serving of white wine or champagne can be healthy for the heart. Certain black grape varieties used in making champagne contain phenolic acid which has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Additionally, if you’re watching your weight, champagne is the best alcohol to drink due to its generally lower caloric content. While white wine is typically lower in calories (about 20-25 calories per ounce) than red wine or beer the serving sizes can be an issue. A standard wine glass can hold almost twice the recommended serving size so it is easy to overindulge.

Spirits

Clear alcohols like vodka are generally accepted to deliver alcohol in its purest form and result in fewest side effects or interactions. They are also extremely low in cholesterol, saturated fat, sodium and carbs, making it the best alcohol to drink in moderation on a low-carb diet. The problem is that we often tend to mix them with garbage like sugar-saturated sodas as shown below which spikes the carb content through the roof. They’re also easy to overindulge on due to their high concentration of alcohol by volume. If you have the capacity to savor the taste and aroma of a whiskey on the rocks then this might not be a bad way to go. A vodka or gin soda is also an excellent low calorie way to go. Juniper berries, the main ingredient in gin, have a history of medicinal use, especially in fighting off coughs and lung congestion. The composition of the alcohol can also help relieve aching joints and aid in digestion.

spirits - best alcohol to drink
Carbs (in grams) per serving of mixed drinks.

Best Alcohol to Drink For You

In practice, the best alcohol to drink is a matter of tastes and preferences, your genetic reaction to alcohol and the wide spectrum of substances it is diluted in, as well as, your ability to moderate its consumption. One drink per day doesn’t mean you can have seven drinks in one day, and still consider your consumption moderate. Heavy drinking damages just about all of the organs it comes in contact with and can be fatal in excess amounts. Gaining the skill and self control to moderate the intake of these magical potions can be a real life skill worth harnessing.

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Is beer bad for you? The answer may surprise you!

Is beer bad for you? The answer to this question depends on a multitude of factors some of which may surprise you. The connection between health and moderate wine consumption is well established. Recent studies have also begun to identify the benefits of consuming moderate amounts of beer. Pour yourself a pint and let’s take a look at some facts and answer this important question once and for all.

Is beer bad for you? Pour yourself a beer and find out.
Is beer bad for you? Here are the answers.
Infographic: Benefits of Beer – Is beer bad for you?

A healthier brain

A study carried out by researchers in Helsinki suggest that moderate beer consumption may protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Another study linked beer and wine consumption to better memory in old age. Low consumption of alcohol was also linked to lower incidence of depression by this 2013 research study.

A stronger heart

If you want to find a professional opinion on the question, “Is beer bad for you?” you need to look no further than the American Heart Association. The AHA has stated that the antioxidants in wine and other alcoholic drinks have health benefits. In the late 90s, the British Medical Journal said that a moderate daily consumption of alcohol could reduce coronary heart disease risk by nearly 25%.

Guarding against stroke

The Harvard School of Public Health conducted study which revealed that moderate quantities of beer can prevent strokes. Some beers are low in calories and carbs, and have little to no fat or cholesterol. In fact, not only does beer have no cholesterol, drinking beer in moderation on a regular basis can actually move your HDL/LDL numbers in the right way. Beer helps clear the system and can push the HDL up as much as four percent. New research has shown that a moderate consumption of alcohol slows the decline of HDL as we get older, helping to reduce the risk of strokes. One or two daily servings for men, and up to one for women, has been associated with this slower decline of the HDL.
Reduced risk of cancer. Making a connection between beer consumption and reducing the risk of cancer is not difficult. Hops contains a potent antioxidant that hinders cancer-causing enzymes.

Stronger bones

While studies have shown no correlation between beer drinking and beer bellies, an NIH study suggested that the high silicon content in beer may aid in bone and connective tissue growth and development. It can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis as the hops in beer can slow the release of calcium from bone.

Boosting vitamin levels

Unfiltered or lightly filtered beer has some proper nutritious value. It has high levels of B vitamins, believed to help prevent heart attacks. And if you’re interested in setting off the metal detectors at the airport, beer is also a source of magnesium and potassium.

Reduced risk of diabetes

A study from Spain a few years back also tackled the question “Is beer bad for you” They found that the moderate consumption of beer in balance with a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise can help reduce the risk of diabetes. Beer contains vitamins, folic acid, iron and calcium. The study showed that men and women over 55, who regularly drank moderate amounts of beer, were less likely to have diabetes or high blood pressure and on average had a lower body fat content.

Healthier kidneys

The alcohol and hops in beer are natural preservatives and beer is no more processed than bread. With its high soluble fiber, beer can help keep you regulate and reduce the fat your body absorbs. Beer also has a diuretic effect and hops can slow the release of calcium, which forms kidney stones.
Lower blood pressure. Who knows more about what’s good for you and what’s bad for you than nurses? In a study of more than 70,000 nurses aged 25 to 42, they found that those who drank moderate amounts of beer had lower blood pressure than others that consumed wine or hard liquor.

The Risks

Don’t think the benefits of drinking in any way lets you ignore the dangers of drinking. All of the information here concludes one major point: drink in moderation. Consuming alcohol in excess can have the opposite effect on blood pressure, weight, heart health and reduce the effectiveness of medications.
While it is true that beer is low in calories as compared to some fruity alcoholic drinks, they are mostly empty calories, void of nutritional value. If you are watching your weight, beer causes your liver to burn acetate for energy rather than stored fat. Beer can also interfere with blood sugar levels, inhibiting the liver’s release of glucose. A lower blood sugar level signals your brain you’re hungry. Add to that the body’s way of dealing with food and drink is to break it down for absorption. Beer breaks down into chemicals including acetaldehyde. Not only is it toxic, it’s the primary contributor to the next day’s hangover.

Is beer bad for you?

The answer to this question is a resounding no!… provided you imbibe in moderation. Numerous independent studies show beer’s alcohol content is ideal for moderate drinking which has proven health benefits. Beer has a high water content, contains vitamins, minerals, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. Those are all great reasons to drink to!

If you’re still asking yourself is beer bad for you then check out this video, although it’s a little painful to watch.


Video: Is beer bad for you? This video says no.

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Insanely Fun Drinking Games with Shots to Get The Party Started

drinking games with shots

Drinking games with shots are hands down the best way to take your party up a notch. Here’s our ultimate list of top drinking games with shots that will get this moving in the right direction. Most of these drinking games are geared to hard liquor shots but, beer or wine can easily fill the spot if that’s your go to drink of choice.
First in the mix of drinking games with shots is Name Game. The starting player gives the name of someone famous. The next player must use the first letter of the last name and give the name of another famous person. So, if the first player says Clint Eastwood, the next player would say Ethan Hawke and the next, Hilary Swank. Easy breezy!

Drinking Games with Shots

Catch Phrase Drinking Game

For a relaxed crowd, next on our list of easy drinking games with shots is Catch Phrase. Pick a word or phrase sure to come up during the party and when someone uses that phrase, they drink a shot. Like many of the drinking games with shots, you can extend the rules to where everyone takes a drink when the phrase is spoken or the last person to recognize the catch phrase takes the shot.

Most Likely Drinking Game

Another laid-back option in our collection of drinking games with shots is Most Likely. The starting player asks a “most likely” question – who is most likely to steal someone’s lunch from the fridge at work or who is most likely to jump off a cliff with you – and everyone points to the person they think is most likely to commit the act. Everyone drinks a shot for each person pointing at them.

Never Have I Ever Drinking Game

Never Have I Ever is one of the drinking games with shots that relies on a vivid imagination and a willingness to share a few secrets with your friends. The first player starts with a truthful “Never have I ever…” and anyone who has done the action drinks a shot. After a designated number of shots, a player is out and the drinking game continues until a single player remains.

Storytime Drinking Game

Storytime is a favorite among drinking games with shots and one that also needs dice. Everyone writes down various nouns on pieces of paper. The player who’s up picks a random piece of paper then rolls the die out of sight of the crowd. If the number on the die is even, the player tells a true story about what was on the piece of paper. If it’s an odd number, the player makes up a story. Then the crowd guesses whether the story is true or false. If they guess right, the player takes a shot. If they guess wrong, the crowd takes a shot.

Glass Poker and Shot Glass Roulette Drinking Games

If you’re low on cash but flush with alcohol and looking for drinking games with shots, try Shot Glass Poker or Shot Glass Roulette. Both are drinking games with shots that are best with a well-stocked liquor cabinet. For Shot Glass Poker, play poker as usual and bet with shots. The losing hand drinks the “pot.” Shot Glass Roulette is one of the drinking games you can buy that involves a roulette table, or you can simply set up a line of shots numbered one to twelve. Players pick a shot glass, roll the dice and someone drinks. For added fun with this drinking game, put multiple numbers on each shot glass!

Straight Face Drinking Game

Once the evening is moving along, Straight Face is one of the drinking games with shots that can challenge the crowd. Everyone writes down a ridiculous or inappropriate statement on a slip of paper. Then one by one, each person picks a slip of paper and reads – or tries to read – the statement with a straight face. No giggling. Not a hint of a smile or grin. Not even a cough to stall. If the player can’t keep a straight face, they must drink a shot.

Thumper Drinking Game

Thumper is another of our drinking games with shots for those who favor the dramatic, but it’s a good memory game as well. Of course, as the night goes on, everyone’s memory will be tested and that’s when the fun really begins. To start, each player picks a gesture to represent themselves. Think Superman pose or world’s smallest violin. There are two ways to play this drinking game. The first player gives their personal gesture, then signals another player by using their gesture. The next person does the same – gives their gesture, then signals the next person. So on, and so on. If anyone hesitates or uses the wrong signal, they must drink. In the alternative, instead of using a person’s name throughout the night, everyone must use the other person’s personal gesture. Anyone who forgets, drinks a shot.

Drunken Artists Drinking Game

If you’re looking for something a little different and want a twist on the usual, play Drunken Artists is the game for you. One person keeps time while a second person plays the artist. The timekeeper whispers a word to the artist who must draw it for the crowd. Once the crowd guesses correctly, the artist must take one shot for every 20 seconds that has passed. If the drawing is so bad no one can figure it out, the artist takes a shot anyway. Just because.

Attached Drinking Game

Most drinking games with shots can help bring friends together over a few laughs. Attached is one of the drinking games with shots, however, that can really make your party guests connected on a new level. Write down various body parts on pieces of paper, then pair everyone up. Each pair picks a slip of paper and then must spend the allotted time attached at the specific body part. Whenever they separate, the pair takes a shot.

Medusa Drinking Game

Last on our list of drinking games with shots, Medusa, can work with either a small or large crowd. Put a bunch of shots on a table and have everyone take a seat. Play begins and everyone puts their head down on the table, then on the count of three, everyone looks up directly at one other person. If you find yourself looking at someone NOT looking back at you, you’re safe. But if you’re looking into another player’s eyes, you shout “Medusa!” and both of you take a shot.

Drinking Games with Shots

I hope the above suggestions help to get things going in the right direction. For more drinking game ideas check out our selection of two person drinking games. If you have any insanely fun drinking games of your own please share them in the comments below. As always, know your limits and drink responsibly. Take care of yourself. Take care of your friends.

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Kings Cup Rules – Most Popular Version

Kings Cup Rules - Official

Kings Cup rules drinking games, pun intended. It is simple to play, requires no special equipment, and offers a great way to get to know your fellow barsity athletes. It can be enjoyed with as few as a couple of players or, as many as you can handle so no one gets left out. It’s a great drinking game to get the party off to a roaring start. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.

Kings Cup rules are simple and are easy to follow. Cards are shuffled and arranged, face down, in a circle surrounding the Kings Cup. Players sit in a circle surrounding the cards with their own drink of choice. Each player takes a turn drawing a card and carries out the action assigned to that card. The game ends when the last King is drawn and the King’s Cup is demolished by the lucky, or unlucky depending on the contents of the cup, player who drew the last King . It doesn’t get simpler than that!

Card Assignment

Kings Cup rules are easy to memorize or customize to your party. The following summary of different actions assigned to each card are based on the most popular version of the game. You can also download a Free Kings Cup Rules Cheat Sheet (PDF) to aid you on game day.

Kings Cup Rules - Ace
Waterfall: Everybody drinks. No one can stop until you do.
Kings Cup Rules - 2
Give 2: Assign one drink to two people or two drinks to one person.
Kings Cup Rules - 3
Take 3: You take 3 drinks.
Kings Cup Rules - 4
Give & Take: Assign two drinks, and drink twice.
Kings Cup Rules - 5
Rule: Set a rule to be followed. Anyone caught breaking the rule drinks.
Kings Cup Rules - 6
Thumbs: Place your thumb on the table. Last person to place their thumb on the table drinks.
Kings Cup Rules - 7
Hands Up: Raise your hand. Last person to raise their hand drinks.
Kings Cup Rules - 8
Mate: Choose your drinking mate. They drink when you drink for the rest of the game.
Kings Cup Rules - 9
Rhyme Time: Choose a word. Next person has to say a word that rhymes. First one to mess up or pause drinks.
Kings Cup Rules - 10
Category: Choose a category. Next person has to name an item from that category. First one to mess up or pause drinks.
Kings Cup Rules - Jack
Guys Drink: All the guys must take a drink.
Kings Cup Rules - Queen
Girls Drink: All the girls must take a drink.
Kings Cup Rules - King
King’s Cup: Pour some of your drink into the King’s Cup. The person to draw the last King must drink from the King’s Cup and the game ends.

Kings Cup Rules and Variations

There are many variations of kings cup rules. Some are more difficult that others and you’re always free to come up with your own. Introducing a truth or dare component to the game is an easy way to boost the fun factor. Get as creative as you want or stick to the classic rule book. It is really up to you. Remembering all of the actions assigned to each card can be tricky, especially as you get tipsy, so the following cheat sheet may come in handy. Download Free Kings Cup Rules Cheat Sheet (PDF) in case you missed it. It may come in handy.

King's Cup Rules Infographic

Check out the following video for a quick summary of the Kings Cup Rules. You can also check out other drinking games and drinking games with shots for more ideas.

Drink Responsibly

Drinking games are not for everyone. Know your limits and stay within them. If you’re hosting a party, that responsibility also extends to your guests as well.

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Ride The Bus Drinking Game

Ride The Bus Drinking Game

Ride the bus drinking game is one of my personal go-to games to get things started. One night I was chilling with a buddy and all we had to drink was kraken rum. For anyone that hasn’t had kraken rum the taste is pretty rough and has a high alcohol percentage. We each did a shot and we both agreed we needed to amp each other up to drink the full forty of the harsh liquor. My buddy recommended we play the ride the bus drinking game and instead of beer you normally use to play we would take shots of the kraken. I don’t recommend it. Beer is far better suited to ride the bus.

Ride The Bus Drinking Game Rules

All you need to play the classic ride the bus drinking game is a deck of cards and beer (or any alcohol of your choice). Deal the cards by asking a series of 4 questions or simply deal each player 4 cards. If the player gets the answer wrong, they drink. However you decide to do it, each player should have 4 cards at the end.

  • Red or black?
  • High or low?
  • In between or outside?
  • Pick a suit.

Using the deck of cards set up a pyramid in the center, face down; the bottom row has five, next four, all the way up to one. The objective of the game is to get rid of all of your cards else, you could end up riding the bus. Flip the pyramid over starting with the bottom row. At this point everyone can get rid of any matching cards and assign drinks accordingly. When a player has a card in his or her hand that matches the card flipped over in the pyramid he can assign drinks. The drinks can be given to one person or split up depending on how many people are playing.

  • First row – assign one drink per matching card.
  • Second row – assign two drinks per matching card.
  • Third row – assign three drinks per matching card.
  • Fourth row – assign four drinks per matching card.
  • Fifth row – assign five drinks per matching card.

Playing this game with hard liquor is not advisable because taking five shots in a row can knock you out pretty quickly. Your ride the bus drinking game will come to a screeching halt. Whoever has the most cards left at the end of the ride the bus drinking game must ride the bus as the name implies. If there is more than one player with the most cards, both players ride the bus or draw a card to break the tie.

To ride the bus, a player must shuffle and lay down eight to ten cards in a line. Cards are then revealed one at a time. This is where ride the bus drinking game gets interesting. If the card drawn is two to ten, the player does not have to drink and nothing really happens. If the player draws any of the face cards below, an appropriate number of drinks must be consumed accordingly.

  • Jack – one drink
  • Queen – two drinks
  • King – three drinks
  • Ace – four drinks

All these rules can get confusing. The cheatsheet below makes it easy to follow. You can download the Free Ride the Bus Drinking Game Cheatsheet as a PDF here as well.

Ride the bus drinking game infographic.

There are many different variations of Ride the Bus but the idea remains the same. Check out the following video for a quick video tutorial on the ride the bus drinking game. You can also check out other drinking games two or more people can enjoy for more ideas. Kings Cup is also a great drinking card game you can try.

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Best Cheap Beers in Canada

best cheap beers in Canada

Choosing the best cheap beers in Canada is like picking favorites among your offspring. It is not to be attempted by the faint of heart. The hardest part of having a killer night is making sure the right taste is keeping you in a proper mood and I’m proud to contribute my top 10 picks.

The Pre Drink

Bud Light Platinum: As far as Pre Drinks are concerned, I think the two most important aspects are having an initial good time before the bar and secondly, establishing a killer buzz to last you that long cab ride and line. Platinum is second to none in the buzz category. It’s a great value for your pre drink. I haven’t even mentioned how it actually has a killer taste. Goes down smooth and before you know it you’re at the bar with a lot more confidence than you expected.

Runner Up – James Ready: At 5.5 percent I do not blame those who avoid this brew, it is particularly strong but if you manage to guzzle down even 4 you’ll know it was well worth it. This buzz will come fast and strong and unfortunately will lead to bad decisions but sometimes that’s what a night on the town is all about.

Beer-League Approved

Canadian/Budweiser: These are your standard staples in the best cheap beers category. I’ve partaken in softball, hockey, volleyball, curling, with men all past our prime, and all having fun after a few tall cans of Canadian. At 5.0 and on the cheaper side of wall-street, it is not a bad way to go. I have never seen a beer league team be upset when the captain brings a 24 of Canadian or Budweiser. A beer that brings a smile to so many deserves its spot amongst selection of the top ten best cheap beers.

Runner up – Molson: Nothing wrong with Molson beer at all, in fact some may prefer it for a regular night on the town. Surely recommended for barbeques but I find it a little to heavy for active sports. Stick to the calm vibes and Molson will bring you the fun time you were hoping for.

Buzz Without The Bloat

Bud Light and Bud Light Lime/ Busch Light: We are talking light beers on this one and there is a three-way tie in this category. Everyone gets a little older and everyone is not the same drinker they once were. It’s one of the saddest days to realize you may ACTUALLY prefer a nice light 6 pack for a good price than crush a 24 of your favourite brew. Bud Light lime is a sure fire hit for those who have never tried it, great cheap beer for drinking games, goes down extra smooth. I will give the same credit to both Bud light and Busch light but they do give off the same familiar beer taste.

Runner up – Corona Light: When it comes to best cheap beers, Corona Light is a solid contender. The smooth taste is well worth the few extra dollars.

Money Buys Happiness

Heineken/ Corona Extra: If you’re willing to shell out the dollars for whatever occasion is present, then you should be looking towards Heineken and Corona Extra. These two are at the top of the class for best overall beer cause of their taste, buzz and fun factor.

Runner Up – Alexander Keiths: This is my personal favourite because of its great flavour and branding. It may not be the cheapest, but the great taste is well worth the few extra bucks.

Best Cheap Beers in Canada

Choosing the best cheap beers is not easy. Here’s my attempt at the impossible:

10. James Ready
9. Canadian and Budweiser
8. Alexander Keiths
7. Busch Light
6. Corona Light
5. Molson
4. Corona Extra
3. Bud Light Lime
2. Heineken
1. Bud Light Platinum

best cheap beers - bud light platinum

Bud Light Platinum comes out on top in just about every category you can think of. It’s an undisputed champ among the best cheap beers in Canada.

Did I miss a beer? A category? Hate my existence?? Let me know in the comments below.

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Best Hangover Cures for Proven Relief

Best Hangover Cures

Best hangover cures are more elusive than words of kindness from your ex. The symptoms of a hangover can include fatigue, headaches, nausea, increased sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, along with a number of mood disturbances – not the most pleasant bunch. If you’re stricken with any of the above fret not; there are a number of hangover cures at your disposal. You may live to drink another day despite your sworn admission to the contrary.

Katerfrühstück

Katerfrühstück is German, and it translates to “hangover breakfast”. A solid breakfast is one of the best hangover cures, especially if you manage to chow it down right after drinking. Any food is better than none. Protein rich foods are best because protein binds with alcohol molecules and helps to slow its absorption in your body. One of the most traditional hangover breakfasts in Germany (and in my grandmother’s kitchen after four or five pitchers of Bloody Mary’s the day before) consists of a delicacy called rollmops, something akin to stanky German sushi. Rollmops are pickled herring fillets, wrapped around gherkins and pickled onion. All the salt actually makes this one of the more reasonable folk remedies to hangovers; it’s way better than the Irish idea of burying someone up to their neck in wet sand, cowboy rabbit shit tea, or the Native American practice of working up a sweat (which works) and then licking it off your body and swishing it around in your mouth (which is A) nasty and B) ineffective). The old standby of burnt toast (or bread in general) is also a great go to – the activated carbon and charcoal created by the toast burning are the very same charcoal and activated carbon that they give to detoxify people who have alcohol poisoning (in a smaller, much less icky way). Check out this article for more hangover food remedies.

Best Hangover Cures - Rollmops

Another traditional hangover breakfast idea from the good ol’ USA, the Prairie Oyster (not sheep testicles, those are Rocky Mountain oysters): raw egg, worcester sauce, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. It doesn’t sound so bad – until you realize you’re supposed to down it like a shot. The taurine in the eggs is great for your body (which you can read about it my other article on hangover prevention!) and with the other amino acids (also present with the herring in the rollmops) help you process the alcohol out of your body. They’re also great for your hair!

Drink Up!

Drink lots of water! Remember, you’re 60 per cent water, so when you’re dehydrated the membrane around your brain shrinks, your organs get a little bit leathery and your blood gets thicker, making it harder to get oxygen throughout your body and making you pooped (as in tired, dehydration actually leads to constipation). You don’t need to stress yourself out if you aren’t replenishing your salts though. Gatorade and other sports drinks are probably unnecessary or overkill.

“Even though the diuretic effect of alcohol may cause the body to lose some electrolytes, it’s not so much that you need to replace them right away,” says Samir Zakhari, Ph.D., director of the Division of Metabolism and Health Effects at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Have Sex

“There is no research that shows that sex will make a hangover go away, but maybe it will make the time go faster,” says assistant professor Joris C. Verster, Ph.D., of Utrecht University in the Netherlands. “If it makes you happy, go for it.” It’s solid advice and no article on best hangover cures would be complete without it.

Best Hangover Cures - Playtime

I probably don’t need to probe (pun mildly intended) you too much to make you think having sex is a good idea. While it won’t get rid of your hangover entirely, the rush of dopamine and oxytocin you get are going to make you forget it entirely. In fact, when you have an orgasm, you’re not thinking or feeling anything – not even how much your head hurts. “At the moment of orgasm, [people] do not have any emotional feelings,” said Gert Holstege of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, at the 2005 meeting of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Development (ESHPD). Endorphins released after sex are a stellar painkiller, and all the sweating you’ll be doing is going to be a fantastic way to sweat out the booze. I mean really – does jogging on a treadmill even compare as an option?

I Know What You’re Thinking (And You’re Wrong)

One thing to avoid for sure is the impulse to take pain killers. Simply don’t. While anti-inflammatories like naproxen are fine, acetaminophen (Paracetamol, Tylenol) will cause liver damage in doses exceeding 800 milligrams. This adverse reaction is compounded when combined with the liver pounding force of alcohol. You don’t want to take any chances with cirrhosis of the liver because scarring of the liver is irreversible and cumulative.

“While [Paracetamol] is OK for a headache, when combined with a liver that’s working overtime to metabolize alcohol, it can cause liver damage or be deadly,” says Dena Davidson, Ph.D., former associate professor of psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Best Hangover Cures

There are plenty of things you can do to try to cure hangover, and some of them might actually work. But a gram of preparation is worth an ounce of after thought, and preventing a hangover is the best way to deal with one. If you can wake up without a hangover from the getgo, you’ll be off to a much better start so have a look at my hangover prevention post. If you have any ideas on how to either prevent or treat a hangover, or even if you just have a funny hangover story to share (the only time you will ever see funny and hangover right next to each other!) then I would love to hear about them. Give the comment section below a spin and share your stuff.

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Best Hangover Food Remedies

Best Hangover Food

It’s sometime in the morning or at least in the ballpark of noon and you and your friends have come to the crucial final step of a great night out, picking the best hangover food to make the pain stop. There are many ways to decide what the best hangover food is, usually a lot of it will come down to old habits, however if you went out without first reading this excellent guide on how to avoid a hangover then you may have some additional factors come into play to choose the chow that will best help you put last night behind you and take on your day. While sometimes just chowing down on a big greasy breakfast at your favourite early morning joint is enough, there is actually some science involved that can REALLY help you with that hangover. Here are a few of the best hangover food options for beginning your next day recovery.

Avoid the Grease

Although grease is your friend when you are out drinking, it has very little to offer you the next day, besides being generally unhealthy for you. On the best of occasions the grease will in fact irritate your stomach more than it already is. While you may be able to get down the grease unscathed the more likely scenario is you staring at your half plate full of bacon and sausage dripping sweat while you try and figure out what made you decide to order that, or worse praying to the porcelain gods.

Fruits are your Friend

Yes unfortunately just like in regular life fruit and of course vegetables are going to be the best hangover food to turn too. I mentioned fruit predominantly as it has the morning mastication market on lockdown, sure you can eat vegetables with breakfast, but a bowl full of berries or a few orange slices just fit so much better. The reason fruits and vegetables help so much is that they not only have a lot of the vitamins that you will inevitably loose to dehydration but they are usually also rich with antioxidants. Also the benefits of fruits and vegetables are easily attained in juice form.

Eggs should Come First

While I’m afraid I do not have the answer to the age old question of which came first the chicken or the egg, I can tell you that eggs are always a welcome addition to your post hangover meal. They are not only full of nutrients, and low in fat, but they are fairly adaptable to many different forms of breakfast, be it a platter of eggs bacon and potatoes, on a sandwich, in a smoothie or maybe even something a little more exotic. Eggs are always my go to best hangover food option. Keeping all that in mind here are just a couple of potential options you could start with when looking for that morning after meal.

Breakfast Sandwich

The sandwich is a a great way to construct your breakfast, it is the blank canvas upon which you can paint your dream meal making it as healthy or unhealthy as your heart desires, (or can tolerate). For the healthy minded some sort of whole wheat bread and or bagel topped with an egg white and spinach omelette and maybe a slice or two of tomato will definitely give you a boost to start the day. If that’s a little bland for you try adding some Sriacha sauce or perhaps cheese or bacon for a little more excitement.

Best Hangover Food - Sandwich

Smoothie/Shake

This is the perfect vessel to load up on one of the best hangover food options; fruit. Banana’s should be key when making a smoothie, they contain potassium which the body dearly wants and needs but which you lost a lot of with your alcohol consumption the night before, not only that they blend well and help add smoothness, other options too include would be, berries, an egg, crushed ice for those really fancy folks, and of course yogurt. While I can’t promise that your fruit and yogurt smoothie will make you as happy as the women in the yogurt commercials it’s an easy way to get what the body needs, especially on the go. Also for those who need a bit of a pick me up consider adding a shot of 5 Hour Energy or a similar product to your shake.

The Liquid Diet

Sometimes circumstance, or your stomach wont permit you to partake of either of the first two options but you still need to get your body started on recovering. This is where an assortment of beverages can help fill the void your body needs. Sports beverages such as Gatorade or Powerade are the perfect drink for after a hangover they have all sorts of sodium and electrolytes that your body needs to replenish itself, drinking these along with lots of water, some pure orange juice, (or whatever your fruit juice of choice happens to be) and maybe an energy drink should get you up and running. When it comes to energy drinks try and avoid lots of caffeine as it will further dehydrate you. The quick shots are sometimes the best option for the morning after drinking.

The Egg Brew

This final option is not for the faint of heart, it’s may help with the symptoms of your hangover but it is still not to be taken lightly. The final hangover “breakfast” involves cracking an egg into a fresh pint of beer and then drinking it. Legend has it this helps rid you of your hangover although I can see their being some negative backlash several hours down the line, this best hangover food option is more for the “Rob Ford” type person and is not recommended for everybody.

Best Hangover Food Ideas

Hopefully these best hangover food suggestions will help you to make some solid choices the next time you tie one on and are looking to reboot the next day.