The Guadalupe-Reyes season is one of the most anticipated times of the year, filled with posadas, parties, and all kinds of gatherings characterized by an abundance of food and drink. While it can be a lot of fun, one of the issues that comes with this is when, in the heat of the moment, we overindulge without thinking about the hangover we will have the next day as a consequence.

At kiwilimón, we want to help you survive the hangovers of Guadalupe-Reyes, so we’ll explain what a hangover is, how to prevent it, and provide you with the best tips and dishes to cure it so you feel like new again.

You can also read: 7 ideal cocktails for the Guadalupe-Reyes marathon

What is a hangover and why does it happen?

Anyone who has consumed alcohol in excess surely knows the symptoms that are medically referred to as veisalgia and more commonly known as hangover. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), hangover includes symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, thirst, headache, muscle pain, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, anxiety, irritability, sweating, and high blood pressure.

Hangover symptoms vary from person to person, both in type and intensity, and are caused by excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The hangover can last from 8 to 24 hours depending on various factors, such as the amount consumed, whether food was eaten beforehand, pre-existing levels of fatigue and dehydration, etc.

How to prevent a hangover?
For better or worse, the only way to prevent a hangover 100% is not to consume alcoholic beverages. However, there are measures you can take to make the unpleasant symptoms of a hangover less intense. Of course, the first step would be to monitor your alcohol consumption to avoid overindulging, but you can also follow these recommendations to prevent a hangover that various experts recommend.

Eat before drinking. A good idea to prevent a hangover is not to drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Your best allies will be foods high in fats and carbohydrates because they help the alcohol to be absorbed more slowly.

Drink in moderation. To drink in moderation, experts recommend that men do not consume more than 2 drinks per day, while women should limit themselves to 1. In this case, a drink is defined as 350 ml of beer, 150 ml of wine, or 45 ml of hard liquor. Other sources add that ideally, one should consume a maximum of 300 ml of alcoholic beverages per hour. In this case, it is advisable to do so slowly so that the effects are not so abrupt.

Choose the type of alcohol you drink. Not all alcoholic beverages have the same effects when consumed. Each one has different concentrations of alcohol and different components, such as congeners and sulfites, whose effects directly reflect how quickly they intoxicate those who drink them and the intensity of the hangover they will experience. Keep in mind that dark-colored alcoholic beverages, such as whisky, tend to cause the worst hangovers, and excessive wine consumption can lead to severe headaches.

Alternate water between drinks. Drinking a glass of water between each alcoholic drink you consume will help you consume less alcohol and combat the dehydration it causes, which results in the unpleasant discomfort of a hangover.

You can also read: How to adopt a healthy diet during Guadalupe-Reyes

How to cure a hangover?
If you overindulged and are suffering from a proportional hangover, don’t worry, not all is lost. There are remedies you can use to alleviate the symptoms of a hangover and make the situation more bearable.

Stay hydrated. Many of the hangover discomforts are related to dehydration caused by alcohol. Therefore, it is essential to rehydrate the next day. In this case, drinking water will always be the best option, although some also turn to sports drinks with electrolytes to try to restore the lost balance.

Medications. Another common method to cure a hangover is to take anti-inflammatories or antacids that help relieve some discomfort. However, more research is needed to determine whether these medications truly have the expected effects when it comes to alleviating hangover symptoms.

Breakfast. Eating in the morning will be your salvation when you wake up with a hangover, as it will help regulate blood sugar levels that become unbalanced after consuming alcohol. Ideally, choose balanced and nutritious foods. Some foods that experts recommend consuming to reduce hangover symptoms include eggs, dairy, oats, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

5 infallible recipes to cure a hangover
While more studies are needed to help determine more specifically the best food to cure a hangover, what is clear is that, ideally, they should be hearty dishes. In Mexico, the dishes used as home remedies for curing hangovers have this characteristic, in addition to being full of flavor. Below, we provide some dishes that will help you survive the hangover of Guadalupe-Reyes.

Birria
Birria is an unparalleled Mexican dish made with lamb or goat meat, although there are also versions with beef, pork, and other proteins. It is prepared with a unique blend of chiles and spices. This dish, originating from Jalisco, is one of the most requested when it comes to curing a hangover, as it is an abundant, delicious preparation with just the right amount of spice that, according to popular culture, helps alleviate the symptoms. You can find the full recipe here.

Shrimp broth
Shrimp broth is another classic cure for hangovers that Mexicans often resort to. This delicious recipe, characterized by its intense red color, is made with a mix of chiles, tomatoes, and dried shrimp and can also include potatoes, carrots, fresh shrimp, and a few drops of lemon juice. Say goodbye to your hangover without leaving home by preparing a delicious shrimp broth with the recipe we share here.

Menudo
Known as menudo, pancita, mole de panza, or mondongo depending on the region where it is prepared, this tasty dish is another iconic cure for hangovers. Menudo is a broth made with beef tripe and a combination of chiles and herbs that give it an exceptional flavor. Learn how to prepare it with the recipe we share here.

Barbacoa
Barbacoa is another dish that will be your best ally to forget about hangovers. This recipe is traditionally made with lamb or goat meat that is wrapped in maguey leaves and cooked in an underground oven. Additionally, it is usually accompanied by a delicious consommé served very hot, which includes rice and chickpeas. Don’t leave home and prepare a delicious barbacoa for your hangover with the recipe we share here.

Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles are a classic morning dish that is also a great remedy for hangovers. It consists of fried tortilla pieces bathed in a variety of spicy sauces, accompanied by different types of protein, and topped with cream, onions, and cheese. Say goodbye to your hangover with this homemade recipe for red chilaquiles with egg that will be your salvation.


Which of these dishes will you choose to survive the hangovers of Guadalupe-Reyes? At kiwilimón, we want you to have the best holiday season, so we provide you with the best tips and recipes to make the most of it.

You can also read: Can you buy alcohol with grocery vouchers?