Foods For Every Mood: The Food and Mood Connection

Explores the relationship between what you eat and how you feel, including tips on how to incorporate healthy eating into your life.

Many will agree with me when I say that “Food is the best thing in life” because it is! Food offers so many options and each of it has a different effect on our mood. While a tub of ice cream helps in dealing with heartbreak, having a hot steaming cup of coffee recharges the body to send out a hundred emails at work.

Similarly, various foods help in soothing different moods. Whether you want to feel happy or shed off anger, there is food for every mood!

Your diet can play a significant role in how you feel emotionally.

Yes, your eating habits play a big role in determining your disease risks. But did you know that they also have a huge effect on your state of mind?

Here’s what the research says about diet and depression: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/food-and-mood-is-there-a-connection

What is the Relationship Between Food and Mood

It is well known that unhealthy eating patterns can cause mood swings. Blood sugar fluctuations and nutritional imbalances are often to blame. Without a steady source of fuel from the foods we eat, our mind and bodies don’t function well.

Beyond mood and general well-being, the role of diet and nutrition on mental health is very complex and has yet to be fully understood. But, you may wonder whether any healthy foods can improve your mood. Here are the ways to Boost Your Every Mood with Food.

SADNESS

We feel sad very often, especially when we get into a conflict with our loved ones, or sometimes even with ourselves. If we are feeling sad, upset or even low, the best thing to cheer the mood and feel happy is to eat ice cream. It releases endorphins (the happy hormone). Other foods to eat are strawberries and chocolates. Don’t eat too many chocolates though as they also tend to make us lethargic.

Another way can be trying to intake of oily fish to boost your brain health and mood. Oily fish is not only rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help ward off depression, negativity and mood swings, but wild salmon and tuna are good sources of vitamin B12, which helps to regulate the mood.

STRESS

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by a busy day or are finding it difficult to wind down after work, try snacking on some blueberries to help cope with stress. Blueberries are high in vitamin C, which can help the body deal with high levels of stress. Also, the superfruit is packed with antioxidants which help to protect your body from its effects.

ANGER

We all know that anger isn’t a good thing but it also isn’t something we are good at controlling. We often walk out of our boss’s cabin with a frown on our face and using cuss words in our mind. We also walk out of the house and slam the door hard behind us after getting into a heated argument with parents/partner. However, this won’t help in calming the anger down.

Do you know what will?

Next time you feel a rage coming on, try reaching for some nuts and seeds to help calm you down. Research has shown that Omega-3 deficiency can contribute to the aggressive behaviour of adult offenders and children with severe behavioural difficulties, while a Japanese study has suggested that zinc may ease anger in women. To up your intake of these nutrients, try opting for walnuts and flaxseeds, which contain both zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids. Also try eating fruits and leafy greens, eggs and chia seeds.

BRAIN FOG

If you’re feeling confused, unfocused, forgetful, or like your mind is just running slow, give your brain a boost with a cup of green tea. As around 80 per cent of the brain is made up of water, drinking any fluids will help keep it hydrated and functioning at optimum levels. However, green tea also helps maintain alertness by regulating blood sugar levels and helps protect the brain and cut the risk of dementia.

Related: Gut-Brain Axis

ANXIETY

Anxiety is gradually becoming a normal mood/feeling among people. It is a persistent fear one has about everyday activities or situations. Though there are a few exercises like meditation and breathing exercises to soothe anxiety, there are certain foods that help too.

If you’ve got a big interview or presentation coming up, try replacing your morning coffee (which can make you jittery) with a calming herbal tea. The calming effects of chamomile are so powerful that they have been found to reduce symptoms of mild to moderate generalised anxiety disorder, so try a cup of chamomile tea to help calm those last-minute nerves.

Chamomile tea and green tea is considered best for relieving anxiety. Yoghurt, turmeric, dark chocolate, almonds, blueberries, citrus fruits, and oats too help reduce anxiety.

The Health Benefits of Drinking Premium Teas: Tea For Every Mood!

LETHARGY

Lethargy usually takes over when you overeat a meal or overwork and feel tired. There is no doubt that caffeinated beverages help is getting rid of lethargy but too much caffeine is bad for health. Whether you’re suffering from a lack of sleep or are generally feeling lethargic, the best options to fight are nuts like cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts and seeds like sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Fresh fruits also help keep the mind active.

Drinking beetroot juice could help revive your energy levels. Beetroot has a high sugar content and many energising nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin C. Make sure your diet includes sufficient amounts of carbs as they are a great source of energy too.

IRRITATION

Sometimes we just feel irritated because of minor inconveniences. At such times all we need is to pump up our mood and what other best way than to eat the food that we love. Be it some fries or pasta, you must eat whatever you love to make yourself feel a little better. At times, doing this is fine. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

Check out our Guilt-free Healthy Snacks

FEAR

Many people suffer from phobias, ranging from the common (like acrophobia – fear of heights) to the obscure (like arachibutyrophobia). However, it may be that your diet is to blame. Research suggests that folate deficiency may be behind irrational fears and anxiety, so try upping your intake of folate – as well as mood-boosting Omega-3 – by snacking on avocado.

LOVE

Got a big date coming up and want to get in the mood? Try some foods rich in zinc to stimulate the libido and enhance desire. While oysters are a famous aphrodisiac due to their high quantities of zinc, if you’re not a fan of the slimy mollusc, try opting for shellfish, pine nuts or pumpkin seeds instead.

SHYNESS

We all need a confidence boost from time to time, and luckily you can get a helping hand from your diet to relieve shyness. Researchers found that foods containing tryptophan (an essential amino acid) make people feel more confident. Good sources of tryptophan include meat (particularly chicken), fish such as salmon and tuna, and legumes.

HEARTBREAK

Many people find themselves reaching for chocolate in the face of heartbreak, and this may be no bad thing. Chocolate contains many chemicals to beat the breakup blues, including relaxing magnesium, calming anandamide and mood-boosting phenylethylamine. Try snacking on dark chocolate (in moderation!) for the most health benefits.

Your moods highly depend on the kind of foods you eat and the type of diet you maintain.

The more healthy food you consume, the better your mood stays. Make sure you inculcate healthy foods into your diet which will not only maintain a good mood but also help maintain your overall wellness.

Since there’s no single food or nutrient that can prevent depression, consuming a variety of vegetables, fruit, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains will ensure adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for good health

Check out our Natural hangover dealers

By Priyanshi Bhatnagar

Healthy Winter Special Beetroot, Carrot Tomato Soup

#Soup Full of Iron. This Soup is good for all age group.

Simple, healthy, comforting soup made with just a few ingredients. This soup is a different version of Tomato soup.

Soup is the first choice whenever we are in a restaurant and are the all-time favourite of the family. Soups are great to complement your meal as a stater. Tomato, carrot & beetroot soup is a light and healthy soup and its easy to make.

Tomato, Beetroot and Carrot soup – A vibrant and bright soup with a rich creamy texture and a hint of spice from ginger and freshly ground black pepper.

Carrots and beetroot add flavour and sweetness to balance the tanginess from the tomatoes and also vibrant colour to the soup making it eye-pleasing, soul comforting.

I have skipped adding any oil or butter to this recipe, however, if you wish you can add butter as per your taste. The taste was awesome. Adding fresh basil leaves gives a nice aroma and taste to the soup.

HEALTHY INGREDIENTS

1/2kg TOMATOES – Tomatoes, packed with beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, and are a rich source of vitamin A, C and folic acid.

3 CARROTS – Carrots are a particularly good source of beta-carotene, fibre, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants.

1 BEETROOT – Beetroots are an excellent source of folic acid and an excellent source of fiber, manganese and potassium.

1/2 inch GINGER – Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, soothes pain and soreness.

1 ONION – Onion is packed with Dietary Fiber, Vitamin B6, Folate, Potassium and Manganese, and a very good source of Vitamin C.

4 GARLIC CLOVES – Garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, an anti-inflammatory effect, a reduced risk of cancer, and a stronger immune system.

1/2 tsp BLACK PEPPER – Black pepper promotes weight loss, helps relieve cold and cough, improves digestion, boosts metabolism and treats many skin problems.

1/2 tsp OREGANO

1 tsp UNSALTED BUTTER OR MARGARINE

SEA SALT as per taste

Here is Salt Guide: Types of Salt + Their Uses and Benefits

BASIL LEAVES

HOW TO MAKE

• Peel and cut all the vegetables into small pieces.

• To the chopped veggies add chopped onion, garlic and ginger with a little salt and water and pressure cook for two whistles.

• Once cool, take it out and blend it well to a smooth paste. Sieve it and put the soup back on fire. Add the butter and let it dissolve.

• Now add oregano and black pepper to taste.

• Adjust salt to taste. Serve hot with basil leaves.

If you like this recipe, do share with your friends.

Other recipes that you can try are:

Dairy-free Pumpkin Soup

Gluten-Free Banana Oat Blender Pancakes

Healthy Besan Laddoo – Vegan & Gluten-free

By Priyanshi Bhatnagar

Your Top 16 Kid Nutrition Questions Answered

Creating awareness about children’s eating habits and guide mothers on they can ensure the children have an #EarlyStartToHealthyLife

Children come in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re noticing that your child is shorter than her friends at school, it’s natural to wonder if your she’s growing normally.

Infants have their own unique nutritional and developmental needs. Adult dietary guidelines for fat, protein, fiber, sugars and other nutrients should not be applied to infants and young children. As our children grow, it is important to foster good eating habits and relationships with foods. We share some helpful tips and suggestions to incorporate.

Complete guide about Childhood Nutrition

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions by moms answered by Certified Holistic Nutritionist Priyanshi Bhatnagar

1.As a parent, should we worry about the quantity of food for kids?

When looking at a range of portion sizes, parents and those who care for young children should choose the smaller portion sizes for children age two or three, and go with a slightly larger portion for children who are age four or five.

Calorie requirements and portion sizes increase as children get older: between ages six and ten, boys and girls need between 1,600 and 2,400 calories each day.

Because of puberty and adolescent growth, between ages 10 and 12, girls need about 200 more calories a day. Boys will begin needing about 500 more calories a day after age 12.

2.Adults take 3 meals a day, is it same for children? How many meals are recommended for kids?

Yes, It is important that children eat three meals a day and not skip breakfast. Studies have shown that children and teens that skip breakfast have more trouble concentrating, do not perform as well in school, and often have later problems with heart disease. Obesity is common in children who skip breakfast.

3.Should we give a multivitamin supplement to children? Is it necessary?

Multivitamins aren’t necessary for most healthy children who are growing normally.

Foods are the best source of nutrients. Regular meals and snacks can provide all the nutrients most children need. Furthermore, multivitamins aren’t without some risks. Megadoses of vitamins and minerals can be toxic. A multivitamin might be helpful for your child if he or she:

• Has a delay in physical and developmental growth (failure to thrive)

• Has certain chronic diseases or food allergies

• Has a restrictive diet, such as a strict vegan diet

4.How many grams of protein per day should we try to give to a toddler?

The recommended intake of protein for babies is about 11 grams per day between 7-months and a year old. For toddlers, the amount increases to 13 grams. By the time kids hit school protein intake should be around 19 grams per day.

5.What food can be given to babies above 6 months to supplement vitamin D and iron syrup.

The recommended daily requirements for iron vary by age.

• age 0–6 months: 0.27 milligrams (mg) per day

• age 6–12 months: 11 mg per day

• ages 1–3 years: 7 mg per day

• ages 4–8 years: 10 mg per day

Food list include lean meats(organ meats, liver, Dark chicken and turkey meat ), Fortified cereals and oatmeal, beans (Soybeans, lima beans, kidney beans, lentils and chickpea), spinach, raisin and pumpkin seeds.,

Vitamin D rich foods can mean healthier babies and healthier kids can be milk, yoghurt, salmon, egg, fortified cereals.

6.Milk, is it necessary? How much milk should kids age between 7 to 10 drink? And what kind? (whole milk/ fat rich/skimmed/2%)

Yes, dairy is important. Milk gives kids calcium and other nutrients they need.

The goal for kids 2-8 years old drink 2 cups of milk each day & 9-18 years old drink 3 cups of milk each day

Focus on nonfat or low-fat milk, which is currently recommended for all children age 2 and older. As well as those dairy products that are high in calcium.

7.What are the disadvantages of giving cow’s milk before the baby turns one year.

Cow’s milk should not be introduced before 1 year of age. As they cannot digest cow milk as they can breast milk and formula. Cow milk also has a high concentration of protein and minerals that can strain an infant’s kidneys. The baby’s stomach and kidneys become stronger after the age of 12 months, which makes it an ideal time to introduce cow’s milk.

8.Is peanut butter good for kids?

Peanut butter is a kid-friendly, nutritious food if eaten in moderation. Peanut butter is a good source of protein, B vitamins, iron, folic acid and fiber. It is high in monounsaturated fats, which are good for the heart. Two tablespoons of peanut butter contain 28 per cent of the RDA of protein for children under the age of 10.

9.How to ensure enough nutrients if you are vegetarian?

To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables, legumes and nuts, and whole grains.

At the same time, cut back on less healthy choices, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices and refined grains.

10.For children who do not eat eggs & chicken, what else can be given to him to meet their protein needs?

You can incorporate vegetarian sources of protein like Paneer, Buttermilk, tofu, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, beans, quinoa, yoghurt and soy-based meat substitutes. These foods have similar nutrients and will help your child meet their nutritional needs. You could also give him a complete protein mix i.e, the combination of dal & rice.

11.How to make kids dislike junk foods.

1. Start young. The very first step is to teach about healthy and junk food right from childhood.

2. Provide him with healthy and filling snacks

3. Do positive marketing yourself!

4. Be a good role model for your child

5. Follow a set routine for mealtimes, Create a comforting family environment

6. Don’t use junk food as a reward or a bribe!

7. Make sure your child stays well-hydrated.

8. Filter out sugar from his snacks.

9. Take your child shopping with you and buy only healthy foods.

12.Should we feed fatty food (ghee, butter, fried foods, and so on) to gain weight. Is it healthy or it doesn’t matter for kids.

No, for weight gain we need nutrient-rich foods. Good sources for weight gain include eggs, peanut butter and other nut kinds of butter, bean soups, hummus and reduced-fat or full-fat milk, yoghurt and cheese. Whole-wheat bread and pasta; mashed, baked or oven-roasted potatoes; sweet potatoes; corn; and cereal are excellent carbohydrate choices. Nuts, seeds, ghee and dairy are healthy fat sources to help your child gain weight.

13.How much chocolates/sweets/sugar is ok for my child as a snack?

Food and drinks that are high in added sugars have extra calories and may have few nutrients. Too many sugary foods and sweet drinks can make children feel full and leaves less room for healthy foods. Too much sugar can also lead to cavities if children do not brush their teeth regularly.

Children aged 4 to 6 should have no more than 19g of free sugars a day (5 sugar cubes).

Children aged 7 to 10 should have no more than 24g of free sugars a day (6 sugar cubes).

14.Is it advisable to avoid ice-cream during winter and cold evenings? Or it doesn’t matter?

Ice creams are not the best foods to be given to a child. All frozen and cold desserts should be kept at bay during winters. Cold and cough are caused essentially by the virus. You would be surprised to know that it isn’t just the temperature of the food that is the culprit here. It is the excessive sugar present in the ice cream. When the virus has made home in your system, they feed on this sugar and become more activated.

15.Should we avoid dairy products when the kid is having stuffy nose and congestion.

The dairy products are known to generate phlegm. Increased phlegm thickens the mucus, and so it takes longer for the thicker mucus to get out of your system consequently causing acute congestion. Hence blocking the child’s nasal passage during cold and flu.

16.What kind of food is most suitable when a child is sick?

Foods that are easy to digest and have a better likelihood of staying down than other foods when a child is sick.

BRAT diet: Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast

CRAM diet: cereal, rice, applesauce, and milk

Others can be Chicken Soup, Broths, Coconut Water, Hot Tea, Honey Ginger tea and Spicy Foods.

Still have questions about well-balanced nutrition for kids? Don’t hesitate to contact detoxpri for additional guidance on how to meet your kids’ unique nutritional needs at every age.

Happy Healthy Diwali: Never forget your Health on Diwali

From the card parties which flag off the season, to the endless array of snacks and sweets we eat, Diwali is the time when we tend to lose track of our eating, drinking, and fitness habits.

Any advice on avoiding sweets altogether would be like throwing a wet blanket on the festive spirit.

The point is to enjoy the festival while keeping in mind to eat sensibly and avoid going overboard on food. That way you won’t end up feeling guilty by the end of the festive season.

So here we have it, the following health tips – these are the bare minimum you need to stay fit, happy and healthy enough to party during and after Diwali.

Practising Mithai Safety

More than avoiding binging on the mithai, the increase in food adulteration around Diwali is what will hurt your health more. There is reportedly an increase in misbranded, substandard and unsafe sweets during Diwali. To keep yourself safe, remember to check the manufacturing and expiry dates, along with the license number of packed food products, and always get a bill against your purchase.

Try out our homemade chocolate peanut butter barfi, tasty and healthy treat for this festive treat.

Snacking and Weight Gain

A sudden shock to both normal meals and regular sleep patterns comes from late-night parties binge-eating, tanking up on alcohol and lack of exercise. Instead, undertake a mindset towards practising moderation, especially towards fried food, alcohol. Replace oily snacks with a combination of fresh fruits, curd dips, raw salads, roasted food items and nuts like almonds and pistachios. And, drinking and eating out needs to be balanced with a post-Diwali detox.

Here are some simple go-to healthy snacks fixes for you on this Diwali.

Choose healthy Sugar alternatives

Substitute the unhealthy ingredients with a healthy one. Make ghee your best friend instead of oil or unsaturated fats. Swap refined powdered sugar with natural plant-based sugar, stevia. Add lots of nuts like raisins, almonds, walnuts, dry apricots etc. You can also include healthy superfoods like Chia seeds, Flexi seeds, sesame and sunflower. Laddoos made from such ingredients are in vogue, here is my fav. Chickpea flour healthy vegan ladoo recipe.

Also here is a discounted code ”SWEETDETOXPRI” to buy natural stevia powder.

Stay hydrated throughout the day

The more diluted blood will have a lesser concentration of sugar level. So you need to keep your blood sugar level control. To keep yourself hydrated throughout the day, drink as much as the liquid you can. Consume low-calorie smoothies, juices, coconut water and drinking water more frequently.

Here are our 5 amazing immunity boosting juices

Sipping on Herbal Tea: Perfect drink for tea lovers

Tea is a widely loved beverage. Statistically, out of ten, eight people are tea lovers. And this is a fact that doesn’t require much reinforcement. This Diwali season, step back from the regular sugar-coated drinks and try a cup of herbal tea instead. You could opt for an exotic blend from Darjeeling or Assam, or maybe a flavourful mélange of herbs and fruits like chamomile or Kashmiri kahwa. This not only leaves a lasting impression on your kin but also motivates them to continue on their path towards a healthy life.

Here is my festive favourite non-Alcoholic Whiskey tea, with a Discount Code “detoxpri” which can be applicable on every order for any of products.

These all amazing tips of being healthy in this Diwali will make your festival more joyful, more colourful, as well as more healthful.

Make this Diwali special for yourself, family and friends.

Have a Healthy Diwali!

Here is a Healthy treat: Broken Sorghum KHEER – Replace rice with the broken sorghum to make the kheer healthier.

By Priyanshi Bhatnagar

Proven Health Benefits of Avocado + An Easy Guacamole Recipe

While most fruit consists primarily of carbohydrate, avocado is high in healthy fats.

The avocado is often referred to as a superfood, which is not surprising given its health properties. Many types of avocado vary in shape and colour — from pear-shaped to round and green to black. They can also weigh anywhere from 8 ounces (220 grams) to 3 pounds (1.4 kg).

Do you know?

The most popular variety is the Hass avocado.

It’s often called alligator pear, which is very descriptive, as it tends to be pear-shaped and has green, bumpy skin like an alligator.

1. Avocado Is Incredibly Nutritious

Avocados are very nutritious and contain a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals. Here are some of the most abundant nutrients, in a single serving:

• Folate

• Magnesium

• Potassium

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

• Niacin (Vitamin B3)

• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

• Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin K

• It also contains small amounts of manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous and vitamins A and B1 (thiamine).

2. Potassium is an important mineral that most people don’t get enough of. Avocados are very high in potassium, which should support healthy blood pressure levels.

3. Avocados and avocado oil are high in monounsaturated oleic acid, a heart-healthy fatty acid that is believed to be one of the main reasons for the health benefits of olive oil.

4. Avocados are high in antioxidants, including lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients are very important for eye health and lower your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

5. Avocados ensure better consumption of nutrients from plant source foods. There are several nutrients which are fat-soluble. This means that they need to combine with fats for them to be utilized by the body. Vitamin A, D, E and K are some plant nutrients that are better absorbed with avocado.

Avocados have a creamy, rich, fatty texture and blend well with other ingredients. Therefore, it’s easy to add this fruit to your diet.

Think avocado, and the first thing that comes to our minds is the Mexican dip guacamole.

The delicious dip made of mashed avocado and herbs is one of the healthier swaps to the greasy barbeque dips.

Also read: The healthiest types of Cooking Oils you need to know

• Guacamole (pronounced guah-ka-moh-lee) is a basic salad that you can make with avocados – it’s extremely healthy and doesn’t require a lot of effort. Most of the health benefits of guacamole stem from the avocados, but the other ingredients add to the nutritional quotient as well.

• This dip is special because it will not only enhance the flavour of your next meal but will also do wonders for your overall health.

• Made with ripe avocados, aromatic garlic and fresh tomatoes, onions, coriander and lime juice, guacamole adds texture and flavour to your meals and snacks.

• Guacamole serves as a source of several essential nutrients that benefit your health. However, it also packs a hefty caloric punch — a cup of guacamole can contain almost 400 calories.

• Eat the food in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Here is a simple recipe by Myfoodshala :

Ingredients

3 Avocado (Riped)

1 Onion (medium) – Finely chopped

2 Tomatoes – deseed them and finely diced

1 Lemon – juice

3-4 garlic cloves – grated

3-4 Green Chilli – finely chopped

Small bunch of coriander leaves/parsley – chopped

Salt to taste

Salt Guide: What are the different types of Salt + Their Uses and Benefits

Method

Take a mixing bowl.

Cut avocados into half, twist a bit and scoop out the avocado with a spoon.

Mash them with a fork.

Add chopped/diced tomatoes, onion, green chilli, coriander leaves.

Add salt as per your taste.

Squeeze one fresh lemon juice.

Mix all ingredients and guacamole is ready.

They are favourites with nacho chips.

Spread on toast.

Can be used in whichever way you love to eat.

Enjoy! 😃

Watch the YouTube recipe:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GErRBbdXts4

Is Guacamole Good for Weight Loss?

You’re in luck: Guacamole can indeed be a great weight-loss snack. While avocado’s high-fat content can cause trouble when consumed in excess, its high fibre content promotes satiety and helps keep you full until your next meal.

High-fibre foods are linked to weight loss and management, as well as reduced cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation.

Here is your guide for treating inflammation

What to Eat with Guacamole

Guacamole is an amazingly versatile dip. It’s a blank canvas for whatever you’re craving, whether it’s something spicy, savoury, or sweet. Pair guacamole with whole-wheat pita chips and fresh veggies to curb hunger cravings and help you stay full until your next meal.

Or try mixing your favourite fruit into a classic guacamole recipe for a sweet bite and extra nutrition. Lastly, don’t be afraid to pile on the hot sauce or sriracha if you like a little heat.

Healthy Ways To Eat Toast, Because You Can Do Better Than Plain Garlic Toast

About

Myfoodshala by Sarika is a small initiative to share different cuisines in a simple way – her unique way.

Hangover Dealers: 9 Natural Hangover Remedies (Backed by Science)

Hangovers seem to be the body’s way of reminding us about the hazards of overindulgence.

The hangover seems unending. The feeling of nausea, vomiting and headache is making your life worse. But some simple home remedies can lessen the pain of the previous night’s heavy drinking.

Diwali, Christmas and New Year are just around the corner and the party mood has set in! It’s that time of the year when even those who usually don’t indulge in heavy drinking tend to go overboard. And the repercussions of the overindulgence can be anything from a pounding headache, queasiness, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, muscle ache or irritability.

Well, do not fret, as we bring you some effective home remedies, from experts to overcome hangover and save you from turning your night’s fun into next morning’s nightmare!

Hangover Dealers

1.Apples and Bananas

Eating raw fruits or having a fresh and crunchy fruit salad is an effective way of treating hangovers. Apples and bananas in particular work as effective hangover cures.

How to do: In case of a headache, having an apple on an empty stomach lends fast relief. A banana shake with a tablespoon of honey is a good option. It not only relaxes your stomach and nerves but the honey present in the fruit shake resumes the lost blood-sugar, while the banana helps in regaining essential minerals like potassium, which the body loses due to alcohol.

How eating bananas can lead to weight loss

2.Honey

Honey is one of the simplest and easily available home remedies. It has potent powers to neutralise the harmful effects of alcohol, thanks to the presence of fructose, which competes with the metabolism of alcohol. Honey also helps in the digestion of alcohol inside a person’s body.

How to do: Taking 3-4 teaspoons of honey after one hour helps in digesting alcohol. However, the quantity of honey may be increased if the hangover is acute and severe. You can also prepare a classic ‘hot-toddy’ with honey. Just boil one cup of water, add honey and lemon juice to taste and it’s ready! This hot toddy works well to treat a hangover. At the same time, it is easy to make and tasty. You can enjoy the toddy several times in a day as it replenishes fluids and sugar lost in a hangover.

Surprising Benefits of Honey we bet You Didn’t Know

3.Ginger

Ginger is a tried and tested treatment for nausea and seasickness. And that’s why it is considered as one of the best home remedies for a hangover. Ginger gives fast relief by assisting in the digestion of alcohol, thus soothing the stomach.

How to do: Chewing 2-3 small pieces of ginger or taking a cup of ginger tea lends fast relief. Besides, you can prepare a brew by boiling 10 to 12 slices of fresh ginger root in 4 cups of water for ten minutes. Now, add the juice of one orange, 1/2 lemon and 1/2 cup of honey to it. This concoction helps stabilise blood sugar, which is usually low after alcohol consumption.

Delicious Spices With Most Powerful Health Benefits You Should Be Eating

4.Peppermint

Peppermint is a very helpful herb. Consume with your tea or chew it as this relaxes the intestines. Peppermint is a carminative, which is a substance that removes accumulated gas from the stomach and intestines.

How to do: Patients suffering from a hangover should be given 3-5 leaves of peppermint. You can also use it as a tea by pouring one cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of the dried herb or 5-10 leaves of peppermint. One or two cups of this preparation will do the trick.

5.Lemon & Lime

Lemon juice or lemon tea is a popular home remedy for hangovers. It helps to assimilate alcohol and provides instant relief. The best trait of lemon is that it makes a gentle medicine that can be taken on a possible upset stomach. On the other hand, Lime is the answer to queasiness, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound and all kinds of muscle aches caused due to excessive alcohol intake. It offers vitamin C which stabilises your blood sugar levels.

How to do: Prepare lemon-tea, but do not add sugar to it. Lemon -rich tea detoxifies the stomach of unwanted materials. On the other hand, fresh lemon juice prepared in cold water with little sugar also gives fast relief. This drink controls the sugar level in the blood after an excess intake of alcohol.

Another way can be, prepare a mixture of two teaspoons of lime water, a teaspoon of sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Drink it slowly and it will stabilise the blood sugar.

6.Tomato

Tomato juice contains fructose, a type of sugar that helps your body metabolise alcohol faster. This is why dehydration caused due to a hangover can be compensated by taking freshly prepared tomato juice or soup.

How to do: The sour taste of tomato has a great effect in curing a hangover. You can prepare tomato juice and add fresh lemon juice to it for fast relief.

7.Cabbage

The ancient Greeks and Romans placed great importance on the healing powers of cabbage. They would eat large quantities of cabbage at night before drinking, as this would allow them to drink more alcoholic beverages without feeling the side effects. Perhaps this is why many consider cabbage with vinegar a good hangover remedy.

How to do: Chewing raw cabbage helps treat headaches and disturbance in the nerves caused due to a hangover. Cabbage juice taken with tomato juice works wonders as it reduces the craving for alcohol and also helps in metabolism.

8. Sleep, sleep, sleep!

Getting a lot of sleep is the body’s way to treat a hangover. So staying sleep-deficient is not advisable. The following tips can help you with your hangover but the mother of all advice is to stay away from alcohol or consume it responsibly.

What is the Importance of Sleep

9.Coconut water

A powerhouse of all essential electrolytes, Coconut-water is refreshingly good.

Alcohol intake makes you lose essential electrolytes by way of urination, thus depleting your energy, and giving way to hangovers. That’s exactly when coconut water comes into the scene as it contains five major electrolytes found in our body viz. potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorous, and calcium, and is great for re-hydration.

Also, unlike most energy/sports drinks, it is considerably low in sugar and one cup of this refreshing liquid contains more electrolytes than most sports drinks—and more potassium than a banana.

Here are 11 Brain-Boosting Beverages to sip, That’ll Give You More Energy Than Coffee

10.Herbal Tea

Herbal teas are packed with antioxidants, which keep your body’s cells—and therefore organs—healthy. This means a healthier liver, which will help you recover faster. If you’re feeling nauseous, add rosemary or lavender to your tea—they’ll calm your stomach fast.

Here the benefits of drinking Premium Teas.

BONUS: Do’s and Don’ts of Drinking Alcohol

1.Make sure you never take alcohol on an empty stomach. Always eat something before or while you are enjoying your drinks as this will not only slow down the rate at which alcohol enters your blood, but will also reduce the after-effects.

2.Try to alternate between an alcoholic drink and a non-alcoholic beverage. This will lead to an overall reduction in the quantity of alcohol you consume.

3.Prefer clear alcohol, such as white wine, vodka, gin etc. It is believed that the darker the alcoholic drink, the more likely it is to cause hangovers, thanks to the presence of more congeners (a substance in alcohol that is supposed to cause headaches).

4.Avoid sweet and sugary foods after or while you drink. The sweet taste makes it tough for the drinker to judge how much alcohol he/she is consuming. It also believed that sugar makes the drink hit you harder.

5.Try not to have a carbonated drink with alcohol as carbonation speeds up the alcohol absorption.

6.Drinking water is the best cure for a hangover. So try to drink as much water as you can while you are drinking.

7.Food is probably the last thing you want to look at while recovering, but your body needs energy. Energise your body with clear liquids till you can tolerate solid food. Start eating slowly with easy-to-digest foods such as plain toast, rice or clear soup.

8.The morning after the alcoholic binge, have an omelette with bread. Eggs provide energy to the body, build up the protein content and remove the accumulated toxins in the body.

9.Juice, especially freshly squeezed orange juice, helps to raise your blood sugar levels together with easing some of the hangover symptoms. However, if your stomach is upset, skip acidic juices such as orange juice and stick to apple juice instead.

10.Pepto-Bismol or an antacid is taken to relieve queasiness and settle your stomach. You can even take a multi-vitamin or vitamin B capsules that help to restore the energy lost during your night of carousing.

Also read : 11 Weird Things That Happen to Your Body When You Don’t Drink Enough Water

By Priyanshi Bhatnagar