Here Are Some of the Best Ways to Detox Your Body After the Holidays

brainmd
2025-01-22T21:00:00-08:00

No judgment, but did you have a little too much to drink this holiday? You’re not alone.

Research shows that, on average, Americans double their alcohol intake during the holiday season. And approximately 69% of people say this is the time of year when they’re more likely to drink larger quantities of alcohol.

New Year’s Eve takes the top spot when it comes to binge drinking, defined as consuming 5 or more drinks for men or 4 or more drinks for women in a 2-hour window. 47% of men and 40% of women admit to overdoing it on the final night of the year. Over 27% of men and nearly 17% of women say they’ve blacked out on New Year’s Eve.

Here are some helpful pointers to keep you from becoming one of those statistics:

How to Have a Healthy Holiday Gathering

If You’re Hosting

If you’re hosting a party, serve a selection of non-alcoholic mocktails. Be sure they aren’t full of sugary juices or syrups. Sugar acts like a drug in the brain and ramps up cravings.

If You’re a Guest

Get into the habit of declining alcohol when it’s offered to you. If you find it difficult to turn down a drink in social situations, ask a friend to back you up. If you both agree not to indulge, and hold each other accountable, it will help you stick to your plan of drinking in moderation.

Sometimes it isn’t even an emotional trigger, but the sight or smell that makes you crave alcohol. A good strategy is to be prepared with a healthy alternative before you’re tempted to drink. Consider bringing an herbal tea or cider as a gift for the host/hostess. This will ensure that there are non-alcoholic beverages available at the celebration.

Excessive drinking can be a serious problem during the festive season. While it’s recommended to limit your intake of alcohol, or avoid it altogether, here are some simple detox strategies if you happen to go overboard at a holiday party…

5 of the Best Holiday Detox Tips

1. Rehydrate

If you had too much to drink at a holiday gathering, you’re probably dehydrated.¹ Hydration is key not only to brain function but to whole-body health. Every system in the body needs adequate hydration to function properly. Water helps to cleanse the body and remove toxins. Make sure to drink plenty of water after a party if you’ve had several alcoholic beverages.

2. Energize Your Electrolytes

To help your body retain water, it’s vital to boost your electrolytes. Traditionally, those suffering from the ill effects of drinking too much alcohol have sipped on Gatorade or even the children’s drink, Pedialyte, to replenish key minerals. Unfortunately, those beverages can be loaded with sugar and artificial colors and flavors. A healthier alternative is coconut water. Green coconut water has a small amount of sugar, a lot of potassium, and considerably less sodium than the average sports drink.

3. Eat a Small Meal

Though it isn’t recommended to gorge after a night of heavy alcohol consumption, it’s important to get at least a little food back into your stomach. A smart choice is eggs. Eggs contain cysteine, a powerful antioxidant and amino acid that helps counteract some of alcohol’s toxic byproducts. If eggs are a no-go for you, you can get back to the basics with broth or brown/wild rice.

4. Get the Blood Flowing

Physical activity delivers extra oxygen to the brain² and can also stimulate the growth of new cells and blood vessels in the brain over the long-term. A brisk walk or jog can increase blood flow to your whole body. More blood flow helps detox the brain and is beneficial for all the organs, including the liver, which has the unenviable responsibility of purging alcohol from your system. Be sure not to overexert while exercising, especially if you’re dealing with nausea or dizziness.

5. Tea Time

Drinking a cup of warm tea can help relieve stress and lift your spirits. Many teas are low calorie, sugar-free, high in antioxidants, and low in caffeine. Ginger tea may help with reducing the effects of nausea and mild dizziness. This can be a huge boon if you’re suffering from the effects of consuming too much alcohol the previous night.

Detox Your Body

One of the first and most important steps in detoxifying your body is cutting back or eliminating alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol intake can cause damage to liver cells over time. This damage can disrupt liver function and impair its ability to filter out toxins effectively.

Remember, alcohol shouldn’t be the main attraction at a holiday gathering. That honor should be reserved for the people you’re blessed to have in your life…friends and family.

Note: Excessive drinking can be a serious issue. If you think you may have a drinking problem, it’s a good idea to seek out the help of a support group or a medical professional trained in this area.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.

References:

1. Jäger, R., Purpura, M., Rathmacher, J. A., Fuller, J. C., Jr., Pitchford, L. M., Rossi, F. E., & Kerksick, C. M. (2021). Health and ergogenic potential of oral adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) supplementation. Journal of Functional Foods, 78, 104357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2021.104357

2. Mulser, L., & Moreau, D. (2023). Effect of acute cardiovascular exercise on cerebral blood flow: A systematic review. Brain Research, 1809, 148355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148355