Want to relax with a drink at the end of the year? Experts reveal the truth: Excessive alcohol can actually make "emotions more tense"
The end of the year coincides with the New Year’s Day holiday and the Lunar New Year, and many people gather with relatives and friends, inevitably accompanied by drinks. But if you only drink alcohol to relax your mind and body and relieve yourself from the bitterness at work, drinking to drown your sorrows may only make your sorrows worse. Experts have shown that certain ethnic groups are prone to trigger a phenomenon called “Hangxiety” after being exposed to alcohol, causing increased feelings of shame, worry and guilt.
The more you drink at the end of the year, the harder it becomes to relax? Expert: Glutamic acid makes hangovers linger
“Drinking anxiety” is not a disease, but it may cause extreme inner anxiety and worsen some people’s mental illness. Not only does it fail to achieve the purpose of relaxation, it may even greatly affect the mood. Dr. Craig Gunn from the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Bristol in the UK said that heavy drinking can easily lead to an increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cortisol in the body, which is similar to the physiological response that triggers anxiety and may be a potential cause of anxiety after drinking.
David Nutt, director of neuropharmacology at Imperial College London, also said that alcohol initially increases the level of “Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAMA)” in the body, achieving a relaxing effect and promoting social interaction. At higher alcohol concentrations, glutamic acid is blocked, causing anxiety and severe hangovers when the intoxication wears off.
In addition, a previous paper published in the “British Journal of Nutrition” confirmed that mild dehydration after a hangover can also easily increase sleepiness, anxiety and impaired working memory. Poor sleep quality and changes in intestinal bacteria after drinking alcohol may also lead to anxiety after drinking. According to “Nutrients”, after drinking alcohol, the number of good bacteria in the intestines is significantly reduced, while the bad bacteria are increased. This imbalance may be associated with anxiety disorders.
“1 gene” can easily lead to alcoholism! Are Taiwanese the “least suitable for drinking” ethnic group?
Gunn also said that academic circles have previously pointed out that there is indeed a relationship between personal “alcohol tolerance” and innate genes. The “ALDH2 gene” is a gene involved in the decomposition of alcohol. Its main function is to convert the toxic substance “acetaldehyde” into less toxic compounds, which are metabolized into carbon dioxide and water. However, the ALDH2 gene of certain groups does not convert alcohol so well.
“People with ALDH2 gene defects produce higher levels of acetaldehyde, which is thought to be related to the development of hangover symptoms.” Unfortunately, according to past data published by the Taiwan Health Promotion Administration, nearly half of Taiwanese people have ALDH2 defects, known as They are the “least suitable for drinking” ethnic group on the planet. Therefore, when young people get together with relatives and friends at the end of the year, they should remember to have just a small drink to avoid excessive drinking that may lead to severe drunken anxiety.
How to reduce the discomfort of a drunken hangover? Nutritionists recommend: Eat “5 foods” as soon as possible after drinking
If excessive drinking at the end of the year leads to a hangover or even anxiety after drinking, what can you do to get rid of the discomfort as soon as possible? Nutritionists at Gao Min Min recommend that you avoid drinking on an empty stomach before drinking, and eat protein foods and good fats beforehand, such as salmon, eggs, tofu, olive oil and other foods. You can also moderately consume the following nutrients after drinking alcohol to help improve the hangover:
Plain water. Boiled water can help accelerate alcohol metabolism, excrete acetaldehyde from the body, relieve hangover symptoms, and help flush the gastroesophageal tract, making it the best “hangover artifact.”
Vitamin B complex. B complex can maintain the body’s metabolic function, improve the efficiency of the liver in metabolizing alcohol, and can also help refresh your mind.
Mineral zinc. Increasing the activity of dehydrogenase in the human body can help relieve hangover, protect the liver, and reduce the impact of alcohol on the liver. It is recommended to supplement nuts, eggs, whole grains and other foods.
Electrolytes. Alcohol causes diuresis, and when dehydrated the body becomes deficient in potassium and sodium ions. The body is prone to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, nausea and vomiting. It is recommended to supplement sports drinks, coconut water, and bananas at this time. In addition to replenishing electrolytes, bananas’ sugar content can also improve hypoglycemia.
Antioxidant nutrition. To help liver metabolism and fight inflammation, it is recommended to eat more sweet potatoes, citrus, strawberries, green tea, or consume fresh fruits and vegetables, which can effectively reduce the oxidative damage caused by alcohol.
Dietitian Gao Minmin recommends that the daily amount of alcohol should be controlled to avoid hangover symptoms. Men should not exceed 2 alcohol equivalents per day, and women should not exceed 1 alcohol equivalent per day. If you always drink “fragments”, you may increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. While you are having fun, you should not neglect your health.
Source:
Alcohol Hangover: Underlying Biochemical, Inflammatory and Neurochemical Mechanisms
The Association between Alcohol Hangover Frequency and Severity: Evidence for Reverse Tolerance?
Further reading:
Does partying at the end of the year improve mental health? Study: “3 types of gatherings” best help relax
