It has all the makings of a summer night to remember. The hottest June day on record. A confident, free-scoring England taking on Ghana in their second game of the World Cup.
However, with 14million Britons expected to tune in for the 9pm kickoff at pubs across the nation, there are sure to be more than a few sore heads tomorrow morning – making early starts all the more difficult.
The nation already has form. Last Thursday, after England’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia, lateness to work doubled and employers reported sickies up 20 per cent on a normal day, according to HR software provider BrightHR.
But, for those who want to enjoy the match and still wake up feeling fresh the next morning, experts say they have the answers to avoid a mid-week hangover.
Growing research shows that certain types of alcohol are more likely to trigger the morning-after ills than others – meaning your choice of tipple could decide how lively you feel tomorrow.
And, according to dietician Nichola Ludlam-Raine, there are other steps drinkers can take to limit their suffering.
However, first, Ms Ludlam-Raine has some cautionary advice.
‘There isn’t a guaranteed hangover-free option,’ she says. ‘The biggest factors affecting how you feel the next day are usually how much you drink, how quickly you drink it, whether you’ve eaten beforehand, your hydration status, and how much sleep you get afterwards.’
With 14million Britons expected to tune in for the 9pm kickoff at pubs across the nation, there are sure to be more than a few sore heads tomorrow morning
But, she adds: ‘There are definitely some drinks that are worse than others for hangovers.’
Read on to find out more…
Pick the right beer… or suffer the consequences
For most people watching the football, a cold beer is the drink of choice – but experts say the strength of the hangover can vary.
Lagers tend have lower levels of congeners – the chemical by-products produced during fermentation that are widely believed to worsen hangovers – than darker ales, stouts or craft beers.
In 2010, a review by the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies in the US found that, while alcohol itself is the leading cause of hangovers, beverages that contain higher levels of congeners, reliably lead to worse hangovers than those with few congeners.
However, experts say that the most important factor is the amount of alcohol in the beer, which can vary, even amongst lagers. Light lagers like Foster’s and Carlsberg tend to be around 3.4 per cent in alcohol.
But others, like Birra Moretti and Stella Artois, are around 4.6 per cent. Experts say that percentage change can be the difference between a manageable and killer hangover.
‘Ultimately, it’s all about the alcohol percentage,’ says Ms Ludlam-Raine.
Lagers tend have lower levels of congeners – the chemical by-products produced during fermentation that are widely believed to worsen hangovers – than darker ales, stouts or craft beers
She also adds that the main issue with beer is that people often drink it instead of water which, particularly in this record heat, can have disastrous consequences.
‘You should be drinking beer because it is tasty, not because you are thirsty,’ Ms Ludlam-Raine says. ‘Dehydration leads to a worse hangover, and downing beer can’t replace a lack of water.
‘So try to have a glass of water alongside your beer.’
Why vodka and gin are your best bet… in moderation
If you’re going to drink, clear spirits might be your safest option, experts say.
Vodka and gin contain fewer congeners than darker drinks such as whisky, rum or brandy.
Vodka and gin also have fewer congeners than most beers – but experts point out that they have markedly higher levels of alcohol.
‘The darker the spirit, the worse the hangover,’ says Ms Ludlam-Raine.
‘But the alcohol percentage remains the best indicator of how likely you are to have a hangover.’
Vodka and gin contain fewer congeners than darker drinks such as whisky, rum or brandy
For this reason, experts say that the mixer matters just as much as the spirit.
Ms Ludlam-Raine recommends combining vodka or gin with soda water or diet tonic, as these are both hydrating and sugar-free.
‘Sugary drinks can sometimes worsen dehydration and contribute to headaches or poor sleep,’ she says.
‘So combining a clear spirit with a sugar-free option might be sensible, if drunken in small amounts.’
Go easy on the red wine
Red wine is one of the most common hangover culprits, say experts.
It contains some of the highest levels of congeners of any alcoholic drink, as well as tannins and histamines, which studies show can trigger headaches.
Meanwhile, white wines typically have lower levels of congeners, tannins and histamines – as well as lower levels of alcohol.
Red wine contains some of the highest levels of congeners of any alcoholic drink, as well as tannins and histamines, which studies show can trigger headaches
Red wines generally range from 12.5 per cent to 15 per cent, while white wines fall between 10 per cent and 13.5 per cent.
However, experts say that white wine is not risk-free as it often contains twice as much alcohol as popular lagers.
Avoid cider like the plague
Ciders are more likely to trigger a painful hangover than most people realise, according to experts.
This because most commercial ciders – those typically served on draught at pubs – are high in sugar and often loaded with artificial flavourings.
Experts say the worst offenders tend to be berry-flavoured ciders, which often have even more sugar than the classic apple-flavoured variety.
Craft or dry ciders tend to have marginally less sugar than commercial brands, but experts say these will still raise the risk of an uncomfortable Wednesday morning.
‘Cider is high in sugar,’ says Ms Ludlam-Raine. ‘And generally that means the hangover will be worse.’
…And the habits that matter more than what’s in your glass
Eating a full meal and drinking enough water are both crucial to avoiding a hangover, say experts.
Consuming food before drinking is crucial because it slows down the body’s processing of alcohol.
Studies show that boozing on an empty stomach means that the alcohol quickly enters the bloodstream, leading to heightened inebriation and an even worse hangover.
‘Avoid drinking on an empty stomach,’ says Ms Ludlam-Raine, who adds that the meal should be healthy. ‘Include some protein, fibre and healthy fats in your meal,’ she says.
She also recommends drinking plenty of water in the build-up to the game.
‘If you are dehydrated when you start drinking then you are going to have a worse hangover,’ she says.
‘The best way to know if you are getting enough water is to check the colour of your pee.
‘If it’s darker than pale straw, you need to drink more.’
She adds: ‘It’s also probably smart to alternate alcoholic drinks with water. And try to finish drinking a few hours before bed, as alcohol can disrupt sleep quality, which we know can make hangovers worse, even if it helps you fall asleep initially’.
