The doctor says this one snack can “help the body metabolise alcohol better and prevent liver damage.”
A doctor has shared a simple that you can avoid getting a hangover after a few too many drinks: eating cheese. A doctor who specialises in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, often shares videos to help educate her 125,000 followers on TikTok, under the series name ‘Things they don’t tell you.’
Dr Neena Chandrasekaran, 34, recently shared a video about the top tip, which racked up 2.5 million views. Neena, who works in Florida, US, said: “If you are going for a night out on the town and you are going to drink alcohol, eating cheese before drinking alcohol can decrease your risk of having a hangover.
“This is because cheese has a lot of protein, fat and complex carbs that can coat the stomach, which decreases the absorption of alcohol. Cheese can help the body metabolise alcohol better and prevent liver damage.
“Cheese also replenishes nutrients because it is full of B vitamin and calcium – these specific nutrients are depleted from the body when drinking alcohol. Calcium, which can be depleted through alcohol specifically helps to improve nerve and muscle function, and B vitamins are needed for energy and metabolism.”
However, the doctor did caution people against drinking too much. She added: “Just remember, no alcohol is better than any alcohol. However, if you are going to drink, try to remember to try some cheese before alcohol.”
The post, which features on What’s The Jam, garnered 248,000 likes and thousands of comments from thrilled viewers. One user wrote: “Cheese as a cure? Say less.”
A second wrote: “Eat cheese before my Christmas party [taking notes emoji]”, while someone else commented: “NOW I understand the wine & cheese era.”
Another person asked: “Will pizza work?” and another said: “You know what…hell yeah.”
“I’ve never had a hangover… and I’m 97% cheese at this point so that adds up actually,” added another user. Someone else joked: “Like I needed an excuse to eat cheese.”
Another person said: “I won’t be hungover over the entire Christmas period then,” and one added: “I love cheese- charcuterie before debauchery folks.”
To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks, the NHS recommends:
- Men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
- Spread your drinking over three or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week
- If you want to cut down, try to have several drink-free days each week
Fourteen units is equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine.