Syracuse (WebMD/WSYR-TV) – If you’ll be ringing in the New Year with alcohol, you don’t want to spend the first day of 2013 with a hangover.
Here are a few myths and facts about alcohol you may or may not already know:
MYTH: Wine is the Gentlest Choice
FACT: Red wine contains tannins, compounds that are known to trigger headaches in some people. Malt liquors, like whiskey, also tend to cause more severe hangovers. If you're worried about how you'll feel in the morning, the gentlest choices are beer and clear liquors, such as vodka and gin.
MYTH: Eat Pasta Before drinking
FACT: Although any food can slow down how fast your body absorbs alcohol, fat does it best. So go for steak or pizza before your first martini, and you might escape a hangover.
MYTH: Pop Pain Relievers Before Bed
FACT: Over-the-counter painkillers peak in about four hours, so a bedtime dose won't help by the time you wake up. A better plan is to take the pills when you first wake up. Don't take acetaminophen (Tylenol) after a night of drinking. The combination could hurt your liver.
MYTH: More Alcohol in the Morning
FACT: More alcohol in the morning does nothing but postpone a hangover. The worst symptoms hit when blood-alcohol levels drop to zero. If you have a screwdriver at breakfast, this moment will just come later in the day.
MYTH: Coffee Is the Cure
FACT: A lot of coffee leads to more dehydration and could make your hangover worse. After a night of drunkenness, it's best to avoid anything with caffeine. Instead, sip water and sports drinks to counter dehydration and replace lost electrolytes
