8 Drinking Tactics For Avoiding A Hangover

The best hangover food has long been a subject of debate. Some prefer vitamin-packed and clean meals to detox their bodies, while others insist on a greasy plate of fatty foods. Sure, people believe that you need food to cure a hangover, but the thing to really pay attention to is what you should drink. Staying aware of which liquids you're consuming is just as important as finding your go-to hangover grub. For example, it's important to pay attention to how much water you're drinking throughout the night, and we recommend resisting the urge to order cheap drinks. Finally, have you ever had Emergen-C or coconut water? If not, we may convince you to try.

Keeping all of that in mind, we thought you might want to know which liquids you should keep on your radar when you're planning on going out for a few. Whether you're using these tips before, during, or after your night of drinking, it doesn't matter. Each of these drink tactics will help you avoid a hangover.

When it comes to hangovers, carbonation is not your friend. In fact, research has shown that carbonated drinks increase the speed of alcohol absorption in the blood.

If your drink of choice happens to be a cocktail, take note of what you're selecting as your mixer. If you must use a sugary mixer, a helpful hint is to pick juice over soda. At least most juices have vitamins — the bar classic cranberry juice is a good source of vitamin C.

Clear spirits contain the fewest toxins of any liquor. Dark liquors contain congeners, a substance that's created during the fermentation process. These toxins include acetone, a chemical that your immune system has a hard time fighting off, leading to headaches and an upset stomach. If you want to avoid a hangover, stick to clear rum, vodka, and gin.

Coconut water is one of the most hydrating liquids out there — and that's a fact. Try having some before, during, or after you drink. No matter when you hydrate, you'll reduce the severity of your hangover. Some have claimed that coconut water is not as good for you as it's rumored to be, and packaged varieties and versions with added sugar probably aren't worth your while. Nevertheless, if you're drinking the natural stuff, it's not a bad way to hydrate and reduce sodium intake.

Providing your body with a daily dose of vitamins is essential for your health. If you take enough vitamins, you'll support your immune system and help your body fight a hangover. Putting Emergen-C in your water before or after a night of drinking is a great way to boost your vitamin intake and hydrate your body.

Most of the time, you'll get what you pay for at the bar. In other words, a pricey drink is likely to contain more alcohol. You'll feel tipsy quicker, which will make you drink less. Presto! The likeliness of your hangover has just lowered.

As we suggested earlier, some people need mixers to drink alcohol. But if you don't, we recommend staying away from them altogether. You'll drink fewer calories, consume less sugar, and there'll be less liquid for your body to digest.

We saved the best for last — good old H20. Have you ever experienced a massive headache after a night of drinking? Dehydration is probably the culprit. It's simple to avoid, though: Just drink water! Some go so far as to say that if you drink a glass of water with every alcoholic drink you consume, your hangover will be practically nonexistent.