Drinking at the Super Bowl? Here are some tips to avoid giving yourself a hangover

Super Bowl LVIII is a greatly anticipated event in the 2024 sports calendar and many fans will turn out to watch the conclusion of the NFL season between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Many will also be drinking and some will even get carried away in the atmosphere of the night, so how can you handle any potential hangovers?

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Firstly, it's important to know what causes a hangover. A hangover is primarily caused by excessive alcohol consumption, which leads to several physiological disruptions in the body. Alcohol is a diuretic, causing dehydration by increasing urine production, which can lead to symptoms like thirst, fatigue, and dizziness.

Additionally, alcohol triggers inflammation in the body, particularly in the brain, contributing to headaches and nausea. It also disrupts sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and irritability. Furthermore, alcohol metabolism produces toxic byproducts like acetaldehyde, which can exacerbate hangover symptoms.

Other factors like congeners (chemical compounds in alcohol), individual differences in metabolism, and lack of sleep or food intake can also influence the severity of a hangover.

How to get around the headache

Nielsen claims that some $1,200,000,000 (billion) is put into the US economy in the fourteen days leading up to the Super Bowl as fans stock up on booze to prepare for the big night.

But for those without the day to recover, some vital tips could help you reduce, or even prevent, a hangover before heading into work to face a day of Microsoft Teams calls and Excel spreadsheets.

Allow your body time to process the alcohol. Drinking more isn't a solution so try to figure out how many drinks you can afford yourself before calling time for the rest of the night. Pace yourself.

Rest and recover. Sleep is your friend. Even if it doesn't get rid of the hangover, you definitely won't want to be exhausted when you hear your alarm clock go off at 06:00am to wake you from your slumber. Aim for seven hours.

Drink water or liquids. The best way to cure a hangover is to get rid of it. How do you do this? By urinating. Replace the blood volume with water and you will lessen the effects. Furthermore, alcohol dehydrates the brain which causes the headache, so keeping yourself hydrated helps.

Consider balanced nutrition. Make sure that you eat before heading out and before heading to sleep, especially if you go partying this will help soak up the alcohol for the day after. Fruits, whole grains, lean protein and eggs are particularly useful for beating the hangover.

Use caffeine in moderation. Coffee isn't always the solution. Too much will dehydrate the body and exacerbate the symptoms of a hangover but just enough will be able to help wake you up.

Try over-the-counter remedies, but follow directions carefully. This isn't a cure but it can help you function enough until it's time to clock off the shift. Use pain killers and antacids but do not exceed the recommended dosage or you'll feel worse.