Do Common Hangover Cures Work?
It was widely reported on Tuesday 19th May that the government is being urged to lower the drink-drive limits in the UK to bring them in line with Scotland, where fewer failed breathalyzer test have been recorded since the law changed there in December 2014.
The Police Federation is calling for a reduction from the UK’s current limit of 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg per 100ml. One reason for this renewed campaign is that the Police Federation feels that anti drink-driving messages are still not being adequately heeded.
But what about the morning after? Many drivers assume that they have slept off the effects of a night’s drinking, or try some time-worn ‘remedies’ before getting behind the wheel. Both assumptions are wrong and we look at five of the top misconceptions.
A fry up will absorb what’s left of the alcohol. Wrong: a big breakfast will temporarily take away the empty feeling in the stomach, but nutrients are what’s needed, rather than fat. Think fruit juice and eggs instead.
Coffee: Alcohol dehydrates the body and coffee is a diuretic, meaning that it encourages the kidneys to excrete water, adding to the dehydrating effect. Water — and plenty of it — is what’s needed.
Hair of the Dog: Another drink in the morning is foolhardy and may delay the onset of more hangover symptoms, (a reminder that you drank too much in the first place).
Eating Before Bed: A meal after a drinking session won’t help the body to absorb or metabolize the alcohol as it’s already too late.
Taking painkillers while drinking: It’s always a bad idea to mix alcohol and pills —and it won’t lessen the headache the next day.
Many drivers are still failing to understand that the rate at which their body processes alcohol is dependent on a wide range of factors, including gender, body weight and build (ratio of fat to muscle) and many more, none of which can be accurately predicted.
Using a personal breathalyzer is the only way to be certain that you’re not still over the limit the following day.
Suzannah Robin is the Sales and Training Director of AlcoDigital, the UK’s leading supplier of drug and alcohol testing kits. She commented:
“The consequences of driving while still over the limit at any time can’t be underestimated and too many drivers rely on outdated notions to guess when their blood alcohol levels are within limits the next day.
“Using a personal breathalyzer makes complete sense and the pressure to amend our drink driving laws and lower the permitted level of alcohol won’t go away”.
For further information about AlcoDigital and the brand new range of breathalyzers, please visit www.alcodigital.co.uk or contact the team on 0208 454 7372.
Keep up to date with AlcoDigital news and events on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/alcodigital or follow @AlcoDigitalLtd on Twitter.
