Nutritionist Lee Holmes reveals why prosecco gives you a worse hangover than any other alcohol

Nutritionist reveals why prosecco gives you a worse hangover than any other alcohol – and the seven steps for preventing a sore head the next day

Prosecco is notorious for triggering intense and long lasting hangovers
Nutritionist Lee Holmes explains why it leaves you more fragile than other drinks
It comes down to carbon dioxide carried within bubbles in the alcohol
This causes the body to absorb alcohol faster, causing more extreme symptoms
Headaches, gripping nausea, tired eyes and dry mouth are common side effects

By Alice Murphy For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:02 GMT, 29 January 2020 | Updated: 02:03 GMT, 29 January 2020

An Australian nutritionist has revealed why prosecco leaves you with a worse hangover, involving stronger waves of nausea, drier mouth and a more intensely pounding headache, than any other alcohol.

The answer lies in the bubbles, according to Sydney dietitian Lee Holmes, who says the carbon dioxide carried in the ‘fizz’ of sparkling wine causes alcohol to absorb faster and deeper into the bloodstream.

The cookbook author told Daily Mail Australia that higher blood alcohol levels cause more severe inflammation of the brain, which is the reason drinkers experience crippling hangover symptoms like fatigue, vomiting and migraines the morning after.

Sydney nutritionist Lee Holmes says the carbon dioxide carried inside bubbles is the reason prosecco and other sparkling wines leave you with a worse hangover than any other alcohol

Studies show over two thirds of people get drunker faster when they drink prosecco, Champagne or other sparkling wines compared with other alcohol.

‘When you drink, alcohol is absorbed through cell membranes which line the gastrointestinal tract, moving into blood capillaries until it enters the bloodstream,’ she said.

The faster the rate of absorption, the higher the blood alcohol level will be, which determines the intensity of a hangover the next day.

Prosecco causes more severe symptoms the morning after because it is absorbed at a faster rate than beer or spirits (stock image)

‘Hangovers are caused by two things. The first is inflammation of the brain, and the second is the brain’s overcompensation due to the depressant mechanism of alcohol,’ she said.

‘Because prosecco is absorbed faster than other drinks, it leads to more severe hangover symptoms the next day, such as headaches, gripping nausea, increased sensitivity to light, gritty eyes and an extremely dry mouth.’

But Ms Holmes said the intensity of a hangover also comes down to the quantity of alcohol consumed.

Seven tricks for ‘drinking smarter’

1. Space out your drinks – ‘Sip and savour the flavour! You’ll end up drinking less and enjoying it more.’

2. Three is enough – ‘Follow the three limit rule and stop after your third drink.’

3. Set goals before heading out – ‘Pre-plan your alcohol consumption. That way, you are more likely to stick to what you’ve planned.’

4. Set clear boundaries – ‘Tell your friends you are watching your alcohol intake, and don’t feel obligated to keep drinking with them if you want to drink mindfully. Mindful drinking is all about drinking while thinking!’

5. Think about tomorrow – ‘Remember everything you want to do the next day and what things a hangover would prevent you from doing. This will help you stay on track if you know you have things you need to do.’

6. Sharing is caring – ‘Share a bottle with friends – you don’t need to polish a whole one off on your own!’

7. Remember your power – ‘You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to. You always have a choice.

Source: Lee Holmes via Supercharged Food

Long-term effects of heavy drinking

Brain: Drinking too much can affect your concentration, judgement, mood and memory. It increases your risk of having a stroke and developing dementia.

Heart: Heavy drinking increases your blood pressure and can lead to heart damage and heart attacks.

Liver: Drinking three to four standard drinks a day increases your risk of developing liver cancer. Long-term heavy drinking also puts you at increased risk of liver cirrhosis (scarring) and death.

Stomach: Drinking even one to two standard drinks a day increases your risk of stomach and bowel cancer, as well as stomach ulcers.

Fertility: Regular heavy drinking reduces men’s testosterone levels, sperm count and fertility. For women, drinking too much can affect their periods.

Source: Health Direct

Drinking water between glasses will alleviate the severity of adverse side effects by automatically reducing the volume you drink.

‘If you find prosecco or Champagne go straight to your head, pace yourself and remember to stay hydrated by drinking water between drinks,’ she said.

‘Another way to avoid going from ‘fizzy to dizzy’ is to ensure you eat beforehand to line your stomach against alcohol.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk