It’s official!  Scientists have proven that women get worse hangovers than men.

Women are being targeted as a growing market by the alcohol industry, so if you get carried away when partying you could end up regretting that over indulgence.

And, we are drinking more, it seems, than the recommended levels, with the limit intake being doubled over the last 5 years.  Not only does this mean a hangover is possible but it could also mean a lot more – from health risks and weight gain to the dangers of plain old bad behaviour. 

The effects of alcohol can affect you form the first sip.  Starting from the moment you swallow alcohol travels to the stomach, there it is absorbed into the bloodstream before being taken away to other parts of your body, finally ending at the brain. 

Having just 3 units of alcohol makes you more talkative; it speeds up your heart rate and causes skin flushing.

Drinking 4 to 6 units slows judgement, affects co-ordination and makes you feel giddy.

By the time you’ve had nine or more units you’ll be slurring your words and thinking you’ve seen Pink Elephants!

Drinking only on special occasions or on an empty stomach, or if you are feeling emotional or drink too quickly then the effects will be more pronounced.

After a night on the tiles women suffer worse the morning after.  This is due to females having lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, (the enzyme that processes alcohol in the body) weighing less and having less water in their bodies than men.

The Morning After

Having a hangover is like having a milder version of the withdrawal symptoms suffered by alcoholics.  The best way to avoid hangovers is to drink only moderate amounts of alcohol.

Government watchdogs are becoming more and more concerned about the increase in binge drinking among women.  Women who regularly overload their liver through gigantic splurges of alcohol may find that they are at a higher risk of suffering with breast cancer, heart disease and liver problems.  One Scottish study has shown that the death rate from heart attacks on Mondays (across both sexes) was 3% higher than on other days of the week, which was partly blamed on week-end binge drinking.

The Goods News is…….. that up to 2 units of red wine a day can help reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.  This is due to the antioxidant content.

The University of Buffalo (USA) has found that white wine drinkers have healthier lungs than teetotallers or people who prefer beer or spirits.  At Christmas small quantities of alcohol can help your body digest your turkey dinner, whilst moderates amounts of wine – preferably red wine – may help protect against colds.  So a little of what you fancy could do you good.

Count the Calories

The other area to suffer, other than you head, if you drink too much is the waistline, especially at Christmastime in particular when our alcohol levels are increased.  Therefore we should not be surprised to find that we start the New Year with tighter waistbands.

Consider this………

2 x 175ml glasses of wine a day will result in a 2lb weight gain over one month.  Add into this all the seasonal parties we tend to go to and the intake will double ie 4 glasses meaning damage of 3lb weight gain from the booze alone.

Rules for Partying

Try to follow these tips to help you stay slim and trim when partying:

1.                  Watch your measures.  You tend to pour larger measures when at home, especially if you do not have to drive home from a pub.  So keep an eye on things by using a proper measure.  And always pour the spirits in the glass first before adding the ice or mixes.

2.                  With wine try to buy half bottles instead of full ones.  Once you’ve opened a bottle you’ll tend to finish it.

3.                  A balance meal and a glass of milk is a good idea before starting to drink.  This will encourage the body to absorb the alcohol more slowly and remember, avoid salty snacks, as these will only make you want to drink more.

4.                  Always start with a large non-alcoholic drink and then try to alternate the alcoholic drinks with a soft-drink.

5.                  Remember that your liver can only process about one unit of alcohol per hour, so pace yourself.

6.                  Don’t Mix – your drinks that is.  Go easy on the Margaritas and Alcopops, the sweet flavour can disguise the alcohol taste meaning you’ll probably end up drinking more.  Also take care with sparkling wine and champagne as the bubbles speed up alcohol absorption.

7.                  Use small glasses.  Beware the large glasses and double measures usually found in trendy bars.

8.                  When drinking spirits use plenty of ice and a diet or low-calorie mixer.

9.                  Drinking lots of water before going to bed helps reduce the hangover.

10.              Try to drink with a partner or friend, taking it in turns for one of you to stay sober, so there’s always someone who is thinking straight.

11.              Remember No means NO.  Don’t allow other people to refill your glass before you’ve finished.  And keep count of the number of units you intake; don’t go by the way you feel – you may have got used to being drunk and are feeling OK.

12.              Stay safe.  Alcohol can make you feel over-confident so try to plan ahead before you go out.  Work out how you’re going to get home and book a reputable taxi in advance or take the number of a licensed cab company with you.

For further information about the effects of alcohol and being safe contact: