According to a recent study, physical activity could help alleviate post-hangover symptoms, because training has beneficial effects on the body and is able to protect it from the symptoms of a night of partying.
A night of fun turns into a morning of regrets, complete with pounding headache, nausea and tiredness.
While there are many supposed “cures” for the hangovera recent study suggests that regular exercise could be the key to easing these dreadful mornings.
The study
The study, published in the journal Addictive Behaviorsinvolved 1,676 college students who had experienced at least one hangover in the past three months. All participants performed at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. They completed online questionnaires assessing their drinking patterns, physical activity levels, and the frequency and severity of hangover symptoms. Activity levels were assessed by calculating intensity of activity versus number of hours.
The results indicated aSignificant association between physical activity and hangover symptoms. Not surprisingly, people who consumed more alcohol experienced hangovers more frequently and with greater severity. But these associations were reduced in people who engaged in vigorous physical activity (such as running), suggesting that higher levels of exercise may reduce the severity of hangover symptoms.
Although the study only established a correlation between exercise and reduction in hangover severity, several mechanisms may help explain why thePhysical activity could mitigate hangover symptoms.
- Modulates the pain response
Hangovers often cause physical painsuch as headaches and muscle pain, due to several factors. Alcohol leads to dehydration, which affects the functioning of blood vessels and reduces fluid levels around the brain, triggering headaches.
Alcohol causesinflammation in the bodyleading to the release of immune system molecules called cytokines, which can cause muscle pain. It also disturbs sleep, which can increase pain sensitivity the next day.
Some studies have also noted that blood alcohol concentration after a night of drinking is also linked to common hangover symptoms, such as pain.
- Better sleep quality
Hangovers tend to be accompanied by a poor sleep quality. Alcohol reduces the REM sleepwhich is the part of the sleep cycle that helps the brain rest and recover. Drinking can also make you wake up more often during the night because alcohol causes your body to lose fluid, causing you to have to use the bathroom more often.
But theRegular exercise is linked to better sleep patternsas it helps regulate the circadian rhythm. Overall, physical activity can improve the length and quality of sleep and reduce the number of times you wake up during the night. This could in turn help you sleep better at night after drinking, which could improve your overall hangover recovery.
3. Improves metabolism
Regular physical activity contributes to better metabolic healthwhich can facilitate the efficient processing of alcohol.
Although the liver primarily metabolizes alcohol, having a good metabolic rate can help eliminate alcohol and its byproducts from the body more effectively.
Exercise also improves circulation, which can help eliminate acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical released by alcohol when the body metabolizes it; Plus, this substance contributes significantly to hangover symptoms.
- Reduces inflammation
Alcohol triggers a inflammatory response (the body’s defense mechanism that works against pathogens and harmful substances) which can exacerbate hangover symptoms.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages promotes the release of chemical substances called cytokines that promote inflammation. In the case of a hangover, this inflammation can worsen symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, fatigue and sensitivity to light and sound. The body’s heightened immune response amplifies these discomforts, making hangovers more intense.
In contrast, physical exercise has anti-inflammatory properties well documented as it stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. This means that those who exercise regularly may experience less inflammation-related discomfort during a hangover.
The cure for a hangover?
It’s important to clarify that while exercise can help make a hangover more bearable, it is not a cure. The most effective way to Preventing a hangover is drinking in moderation or avoiding it altogether. But for those who choose to indulge, integrating regular physical activity into your lifestyle could make hangovers a little less debilitating.
However, there are some things that are not entirely clear from the study. For example, it’s unclear how long before a night of drinking you should exercise to see benefits on hangover severity. This makes it difficult to tell whether those who exercise regularly have less severe hangovers or whether exercising before going out at night helps manage hangover symptoms.
The study was also conducted using college students, whose levels of alcohol consumption and physical activity may differ from those of older adults. Research in different age groups will be important to see if the benefits are similar.
It’s also crucial to distinguish between the benefits of consistent exercise and the urge to exercise during a hangover. The latter can be counterproductive, as the body is already dehydrated and under stress.
Instead, try doing gentle, undemanding activities during a hangover, such as a walk or yoga. This can help improve your mood.
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