Partying certainly has its merits, but it also has a drawback or two and one of them is a hangover. The throbbing head, the dryness in the mouth, and the irritation in the stomach- these and other symptoms like them can make a hangover one of life’s most unpleasant self- inflicted annoyances. To make matters worse, much of what we may believe about hangovers isn’t true. Health fallacies abound and while most of us are confident that we can distinguish the genuine and factual from the deceiving and phony, there are still countless health falsehoods that we still believe and the untruths surrounding hangovers are no different.
Still, not all of the things we believe about hangovers are necessarily untrue, so how does one know what to believe and what not to believe? The best way is to consult an expert on the subject and Nightup’s Dr. Deepak Raj Dugar, M.D. is one such person who can help separate fact from fiction. Here is a list of some of the common beliefs about hangovers with explanations from Dr. Dugar himself:
Myth – Being able to handle your alcohol comes from your Genes!
TRUE! Enzymes in your body break down the by-products of alcohol. Specific genetic mutations, seen more commonly in East Asians, cause an abnormally functioning enzyme called Alcohol Dehydrogenase to lead to a build-up of Acetaldehyde, which increases the symptoms of a hangover and can contribute to a skin flushing reaction.
Myth – Everyone who drinks alcohol has experienced a hangover.
FALSE! – Studies have shown about 25% of heavy drinkers claim that they have never had a hangover. This also further validates the genetic variation that plays a role in hangovers.
Myth – Clear Liquor is better than dark liquor in preventing a hangover.
TRUE! Several Studies have confirmed this! Congeners are substances produced during fermentation and are responsible for most of the taste and aroma of distilled alcoholic beverages. They are found in higher percentages in darker liquors than in clear liquors. While vodka has virtually no more congeners than pure ethanol, bourbon has a total congener content 37 times higher than that found in vodka.
Myth – Cigarette smoking while drinking decreased the risk of a hangover.
FALSE! Cigarette smoking can actually increase the risk of a hangover. Acetaldehyde is absorbed into your system from smoking and is considered a contributor to hangover symptoms.
Myth – Women get hangovers easier than men.
TRUE! Studies have shown that women attain higher BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentrations) than men with the same number of alcoholic beverage intake. That being said, once at the same BAC, the hangover effects between men and women are the same.
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