Drinking alcohol may bring temporary pleasure, but it often leads to headaches, upset stomach, and other discomforts afterwards. Traditional Chinese medicine offers methods to alleviate the discomfort and provides guidelines for responsible drinking.
Causes of alcohol-induced headaches and stomachaches
Some individuals may experience headaches after drinking, which could be due to their sensitive constitution. The external factors contributing to this discomfort include the presence of impurities, amines (found in beer, rice wine, and fruit wine), flavonoids (present in red wine), as well as metabolic byproducts such as acetaldehyde, which can lead to vascular spasms and insufficient blood supply to the brain.
Stomach discomfort after drinking is mainly caused by the direct damage of alcohol to the gastric mucosa. Alcohol also indirectly inhibits the secretion of prostaglandins, leading to reduced synthesis of mucus and glycoproteins by the gastric gland, thereby weakening the protective function of the gastric mucosa.
Alcohol affects the blood flow to the gastric mucosa, causing ischemia and hypoxia. This can result in the production of excessive oxygen free radicals, which further damage the gastric mucosa.
In addition to stomachaches and headaches, excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to damage to the liver, heart, brain, intestines, kidneys, pancreas, as well as sexual dysfunction, anxiety, and insomnia.
Methods to alleviate post-drinking discomfort
When experiencing discomfort after drinking, it is important to sober up. Sobering up refers to the process of aiding the hydration of ethanol into acetic acid, water, carbon dioxide, and other byproducts, which are then eliminated.
The simplest method is to drink plenty of water to dilute the alcohol in the stomach and bloodstream.
Drinking honey water can also be effective as honey contains a special type of fructose that promotes the breakdown and absorption of alcohol, thereby alleviating symptoms of headaches and stomachaches.
In addition, grape juice, orange peel water, pear juice, bananas, tomatoes, and other foods rich in vitamin C have certain sobering effects.
Tea is also known to have sobering effects due to its diuretic properties, which help eliminate alcohol from the body. However, strong tea may have the opposite effect as the presence of theophylline and caffeine can accelerate heart rate and the entry of acetaldehyde into the kidneys, leading to kidney damage.
Taboos when drinking alcohol
(1) The most important aspect is to control the intake of alcohol.
(2) Drinking on an empty stomach increases the absorption rate of alcohol, so it is advisable to eat a moderate meal before drinking. Consuming yogurt is a good option.
(3) Drinking alcohol should be done slowly and in small sips to control the intake rate.
(4) Mixing different types of alcohol or mixing alcohol with other beverages can easily lead to intoxication and should be avoided.
(5) Drinking intermittent sips of warm water can help dilute the alcohol concentration.
