Kefir is one of the most tried and tested folk remedies for a hangover. This fermented milk drink helps to quickly get rid of the symptoms that occur the next morning after excessive alcohol consumption: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, swelling, bags under the eyes, inability to concentrate, feeling tired, lack of appetite.
The human body perceives alcohol as a poison. The liver copes with moderate doses, but if there is too much ethanol, its breakdown product, the toxic substance acetaldehyde, does not have time to oxidize to safe acetic acid. Poisoning occurs, which can be aggravated by fusel oils contained in cognac, tequila, whiskey, moonshine, or various preservatives, dyes, flavor enhancers and flavors, which are especially abundant in canned beer and liqueurs.
There is an erroneous opinion that you definitely need to “hangover” with some kind of alcoholic drink. However, a healthy person the day after ethanol poisoning should be disgusted even at the thought of alcohol. If the symptoms of a hangover are combined with an irresistible desire to drink at least beer, then we are talking about withdrawal syndrome, and you need to see a doctor.
Kefir helps with a hangover, actually acts as an antidote, helping to neutralize and remove toxins from the body. Alcohol (resulting from fermentation) in a fermented milk drink is only 0,05%, that is, 50 liters of kefir is equivalent to a bottle of light beer.
When recovering from alcohol intoxication, the body needs vitamins and microelements, the source of which is kefir. It contains 6 vitamins of group B, including vitamin B12, which strengthens the walls of blood vessels: due to pressure surges during a hangover, they experience serious stress.
Vitamin C contributes to the normalization of blood pressure, the cessation of vasospasm and the headaches they cause. Lactic acid stimulates the liver. The enzymes contained in kefir have a beneficial effect on the state of the gastrointestinal tract, restores vigor and appetite to a person. The drink removes edematous fluid from the body, as a result, bags under the eyes disappear faster.
Rules for the use of kefir for a hangover
Due to the large amount of acetic acid formed as a result of the oxidation of acetaldehyde, the acid-base balance of the body is disturbed. Kefir is also acidic, so people with gastrointestinal problems may experience heartburn. In such cases, it is recommended to drink a glass of alkaline non-carbonated mineral water with a pinch of soda.
When treating a hangover with kefir, the following rules must be observed:
- the dose of a fermented milk drink should not exceed 600 ml;
- drink kefir on an empty stomach;
- you should not take a low-fat drink, as fats soften the effect of acid on the gastric mucosa, already burned by alcohol;
- with severe nausea, be sure to take activated charcoal (at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight);
- those who are prone to heartburn are recommended to pour 0,5 kg of dry peas into 1,5 liters of mineral alkaline water in the evening. In the morning, the infusion is filtered and drunk with kefir;
you need to drink plenty of water, but in no case carbonated;
- if a hangover is accompanied by diarrhea, store-bought yogurt is best avoided. In such cases, a homemade drink (based on pharmaceutical sourdough) that has been aged in the refrigerator for at least 3 days helps. Shop and young (one-day) homemade kefir weakens;
- with gastritis, stomach ulcers and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kefir should be drunk little by little, diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1.
Kefir-based drinks
If there is no vomiting, then it is quite acceptable to use not pure kefir for a hangover, but cocktails and cold soups:
- a good remedy for nausea and dizziness is the Bulgarian Tarator soup: 1–2 cucumbers are ground on a grater, half a liter of kefir, herbs, grated garlic, salt and pepper are added to taste. When serving, decorate with walnut crumbs;
- in the summer they prepare berry cocktails: beat a glass of berries (strawberries, strawberries, blueberries, blueberries, raspberries) in a blender and pour 0,5 liters of kefir. If there is no nausea and aversion to sweets, the drink is allowed to be slightly sweetened with honey or powdered sugar.
- with puffiness, a watermelon cocktail is mixed in the same way (for 0,5 l of kefir – 300 g of watermelon pulp, you can add one grated apple);
- winter fruit cocktail: 100 g of kefir, 100 g of freshly squeezed orange and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Optionally, season with a pinch of dried ginger or 2-3 drops of ginger juice. Ginger quickly relieves nausea, but can cause heartburn;
- winter cocktail with vitamin C: in the evening, pour boiling water in a thermos into a glass of rose hips. In the morning, cool a glass of infusion and mix with a glass of kefir. Sweeten with sugar or honey if desired.
- for blood purification: a glass of kefir is mixed with a glass of nettle infusion. Salt, pepper to taste, finely chopped fresh or dried herbs are added: dill, parsley, celery;
- to stimulate appetite: mix a glass of grated fresh apples or freshly squeezed apple juice with a glass of kefir, season with ground ginger or cinnamon, if necessary, sweeten.
You can treat a hangover with kefir only if the poisoning is not too strong. With symptoms of severe intoxication (prolonged or bloody vomiting, loss of consciousness, pain in the stomach), you should immediately consult a doctor.
Attention! Self-medication can be dangerous, consult your doctor.