Does Vitamin C help with hangovers?
We've all been there. You went out for a night of fun and catching up with friends. One drink led to another, and before you knew it, you woke up in the morning with a pounding headache, nausea, and regret. Hangovers are the worst, and it often feels like there's no cure except for time. But what if we told you there's a cure that's not only full of health benefits but also tasty?
How Vitamin C counteracts hangovers
1. Reduces inflammation
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive and can damage cells and tissues, leading to inflammation. This is why drinking alcohol leads to headaches, nausea, and fatigue. By scavenging these free radicals, vitamin C helps prevent or minimize inflammation.
2. Boosts immune system
Alcohol weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to getting sick and experiencing excessive inflammation. Vitamin C is essential for the immune system to function properly. It stimulates the production of white blood cells and antibodies, which help to fight off infections and pathogens. Not only does this speed up the healing process, but it can also help to reduce fatigue and increase energy levels when you're trying to power through the next morning.
3. Hydrates the body
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it makes your kidneys flush out extra water and leads to dehydration. When you are dehydrated, you tend to feel tired and sluggish, and you may experience headaches, dry mouth, and fatigue. The dehydration that accompanies drinking alcohol is one of the biggest contributors to hangover symptoms. Vitamin C keeps you hydrated by helping your body with water absorption, reducing the severity of hangover symptoms.
4. Improves mood
Since your body and mind will impact one another, it only makes sense that physical symptoms from drinking too much alcohol can ruin your mood. You might feel anxious, depressed, and irritable. Vitamin C helps hangovers by improving mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It also helps the brain to regulate the production of cortisol, a hormone that can contribute to stress and anxiety.
5. Helps your liver detoxify
When you consume alcohol, your body quickly begins to break it down into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance. This substance is then metabolized into acetate, which is then excreted. During this process, your liver is working overtime to detoxify the body. Hangover symptoms occur because the liver cannot keep up with the rate of consumption. Vitamin C supports liver function by stimulating the production of glutathione, an antioxidant that helps to eliminate toxins from the body. However, the production of these antioxidants can be compromised in individuals who consume alcohol regularly or have liver disease. Studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation can increase glutathione levels and promote liver health, even in individuals with compromised liver function.
Conclusion
Hangovers are never fun, but with the help of vitamin C, you can minimize their effects. From boosting your immune system to detoxifying your body, this powerful nutrient has numerous benefits that go beyond just mitigating hangover symptoms. Overall, vitamin C is an essential nutrient that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress caused by alcohol. However, it may not be enough to just take this hangover cure in the form of citrus fruits or vitamins in tablet form. When you wake up with a horrible headache and all the other symptoms mentioned earlier, the damaging effects of alcohol on your body are already done. Tomo Labs offers quality and affordable, hangover recovery supplements that you can take before going out. Extensively researched and backed by science from leading alcohol hangover expert, Dr. Joris Verster, their product is a water-soluble vitamin (it will dissolve in water for a simple and tasty experience). To fight hangovers before they hit like a truck in the morning, definitely consider having a few packets of Tomo.
Cheers to healthy and happy drinking!