5 Ways to Prevent a Hangover

1. Commit to Consumption Limits

Resolve to swap the taunts and teasing of your coworkers and friends for a hangover-free morning. Before you hit the bars, make a pact with yourself (or a significant other) to limit your alcohol consumption to what your liver can properly metabolize. That means ingesting no more than one drink per hour, and no more than three to four during the course of an evening. It's important to commit to this rule before you imbibe, because refills rarely seem like a bad idea once you're tipsy.

Keep your consumption commitment by leaving your credit cards at home. Rather than starting a tab, bring only enough cash to enjoy yourself without overindulging.

2. Follow the

If you're already dehydrated before you start partying, you're setting yourself up for misery. One of the most noticeable effects of alcohol is its ability to dehydrate your body, causing headaches, nausea and overall cloudiness the next day. Finish a bottle of water before you begin drinking, and order a glass of water every time you buy an alcoholic beverage. When you get home, don't fall into bed until you've consumed two to three more glasses of water, giving your body a jump start on re-hydrating while you sleep. If you wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, that's even better. You can pound another glass of water before heading back to bed.

3. Enjoy Appetizers With Your Alcohol

One of the worst mistakes that people make is drinking excessively on an empty stomach. Alcohol metabolizes more efficiently when you eat before or during a night out, so snack while you're celebrating. Eating high-fat foods before drinking may be beneficial, as heavy foods slow the absorption of alcohol. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as well, since they will replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. Remember, while drinking on an empty stomach seems like a good way to get a quick buzz, you'll probably regret it the next morning.

4. Stick to Clear Drinks

Studies have shown that darker drinks contain more congeners, which are toxins naturally derived during the fermentation process. As a rule, the more congeners you consume, the greater your hangover anguish. Red wine, bourbon, brandy and whiskey are congener-filled, while light-colored drinks like white wine, rum and gin are lower on the toxin scale. To avoid combining different congeners, don't mix your drinks. A night that begins with tequila shots shouldn't end with whiskey and soda.

5. Drink in a No-Smoking Zone

Studies indicate that drinking excessively in a carcinogen-filled bar or chain-smoking while you imbibe may leave you with a doubly wretched hangover the next day. Alcohol and cigarettes both contain acetaldehyde, a compound that causes liver stress and is suspected of playing a major role in hangover development. Stay on the safe side by avoiding active or passive cigarette smoke consumption while you're drinking.