A pounding headache, nausea and immense tiredness are common after too many drinks, but not for everyone.
In fact, some people claim they don’t get hungover at all.
Speaking to Well + Good, Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, says, “Some people can metabolise [alcohol] quite well and quickly.”
Why do we get hungover?
The short version is that when you drink, it’s your liver’s job to get rid of more than 90% of alcohol, and the rest leaves via urine, sweat and your breath.
Once the alcohol makes its way into your bloodstream, it is metabolised by an enzyme in your liver cells known as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and broken down into acetaldehyde. From here another enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), breaks down the acetaldehyde into acetate so it can leave your body.
Why do some people get hungover and others don’t?
The problem is that some people have more liver enzymes needed to metabolise alcohol, and others have fewer.
Amy says a lot of this comes down to genetics.
“They’re able to break down the byproducts, genetically and metabolically, so that it doesn’t affect them the next day,” she says.
Hydration is key
Another reason you might feel more hungover than your friends is they drank more water than you. Alcohol is a diuretic, so drinking plenty of water is essential. It’s recommended to drink one glass of water per drink.
Even if you don’t experience hangovers, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch your alcohol intake.,
At the end of the day, it’s a toxin that can negatively affect your whole body.
If you or someone you know are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact Alcoholics Anonymous: 1300 222 222 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week) for support in your area.
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