by Michael Mascha
With the holidays coming up, partygoers need a sound strategy that will
enable them to have their pint of enjoyment while keeping the adverse
consequences to an absolute minimum.
Apart from sheer overindulgence, the primary cause of a hangover is
dehydration, according to Dr. Petros Levounis, director of the Addiction
Institute of New York at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Alcohols and the
sugars they contain deplete fluids from the body and the brain – a key reason
for headaches, dry mouth, upset stomachs and overall malaise. "Water performs a
lot of services: it gets you re-hydrated, flushes out your system and helps you
metabolize alcohol faster,” says Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical associate professor
of medicine, New York University School of Medicine.
Advance Party Preparation:
Treat yourself! The
simplest solution for dehydration is water -- and plenty of it. Begin
drinking water when you get up the morning before a party, and then drink as
much bottled water as you can during the day. FineWaters recommends making the
drinking water to combat the effects of hangover fun by buying three bottles of
fine water, using quality stemware to sample different waters. Any water would
do but making an intelligent effort and enjoying the process makes it more
likely to succeed. You will consume more water because it’s better water and
more fun!
At the Party:
Once the holiday
cheer starts, make every other drink a glass of water. Discriminating bottled
water drinkers are learning that, like wine, the right fine bottled water
enhances every dining experience – from gourmet cuisine to their favorite
chocolate treats. Using the FineWaters Balance, a unique scale developed
by FineWaters, discerning consumers can distinguish between varying degrees of
sparkling and still waters and learn how to pair water and food for the ultimate
fulfillment. The FineWaters Balance divides bottled water into five
categories – Bold, Classic, Light, Effervescent and Still – and describes how
each group affects the taste and feel of specific cuisine. The FineWaters
Balance also addresses factors like optimum drinking temperature and appropriate
stemware.
If you the host of the party you should provide your guests with a selection
of at least 3 different waters. Your guests will appreciate your efforts and
will for sure thank you the next morning. A selection of three different waters
will allow your guests to drink the appropriate bottled water during the
celebration, together with the wine and/or hard liquor that is sure to flow.
In general the water needs to be matched with the food. The recommendations
below are for a drinks only match. It is also important to pay attention to the
presentation of the water selecting a nice presentable glass bottles and the
appropriate stemware for the water.
Red Wine would match best with a FineWaters Balance | Still designation if
you only drink wine and you have to make sure the temperature of the water is
not lower then the temperature of the wine. No ice please.
White Wine usually served slightly chilled matches best with a water that has
some small bubbles from a FineWaters Balance | Light designated water to match
the mouthfeel of the colder wine.
Single Malt - a FineWaters Balance | Still designation with character,
terroir and a story would work well for Single Malt. (Gleneagles, Hildon, Cloud
Juice, Oregon Rain, …)
Proper hydration can drastically reduce the hangover effect but you still
need to consider the effect the alcohol has on your system.
Party sensibly and don’t drink and Drive!
|
The Water Connoisseur
