Hangover Nausea – what are the causes?
Why do we get hangovers?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. But below we have addressed a few reasons why.
1. Alcohol directly irritates the stomach lining
Alcohol is a toxin that directly irritates the stomach lining causing inflammation.
In the post COVID world I think we are all aware that alcohol kills 99.99% of bacteria. Of course, the type of alcohol used in cleaning products is different to the alcohol you consume but it is important to understand that all alcohol is still a toxic substance. After a night of drinking, the stomach is left in a fragile state as alcohol causes irritation of the lining.
2. Delayed stomach emptying
Did you know that the stomach pushes food into the intestines in rhythmic motions a few times every minute? Well it does, and this process is called peristalsis. Alcohol actually slowed down this process which means that food sits in our stomach for longer than usual.
3. Increase in acid production
In response to the irritation and inflammation, the cells lining the stomach produce more acid. Add the increased acid production to the inflammation and delayed stomach emptying and you have a recipe for feeling sick.
4. Dehydration
Alcohol is a diuretic. It makes us urinate more this leads to us expelling more electrolytes (essential salts and minerals). This makes us very dehydrated and leads to us feeling tired, listless, lacking mental acuity and even dizzy.
Good News! Vitamin B6 can help!
Free radicals play a huge role in making you feel awful after drinking in general. The process of free radical production when we drink. Yeti & The Fox contains Vitamin B 6 which is important for metabolism, movement, memory, energy expenditure and blood flow. The B6 used in YATF is P5P- the most effective form. P5P promotes physical energy and increases mental energy.
For information on hangovers visit the NHS website here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/for-your-body/drink-less/how-to-avoid-a-hangover/