Company dinners, business gatherings, and family reunions are back-to-back, and the most important part of these banquets is "drinking." In fact, at these dinners, drinking is considered more important than eating. It's as if without alcohol, relationships can't become closer, the atmosphere can't liven up, and connections can't be made. Many people secretly dread the end-of-year social season, forced to drink excessively and suffer for it. The year-end entertaining is truly a headache.
During the Spring Festival, relatives and friends难得 get together, and the period after the festival is a peak time for visiting friends and family. So, toasting and drinking is only natural. A characteristic of Chinese drinking culture is the preference for strong spirits, like baijiu. In cold weather, people often have a few drinks to warm up, believing that alcohol can fend off the cold. This is actually a misconception. The Chinese custom of "no banquet without alcohol" is particularly troubling. How can you drink to build relationships without harming your health? Here are a few tips:
1. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach: Before drinking, have a glass of milk or yogurt, or a few slices of bread. Don't drink on an empty stomach to avoid irritating the stomach lining.
2. B vitamins: When you anticipate drinking heavily, take B vitamins in advance until your social calendar lightens up to protect your liver. You can also consciously eat more foods rich in B vitamins, such as animal liver, pork, beef, lamb, egg yolks, vegetables, and coarse grains like oats to increase your body's B vitamin levels.
3. Drink more water: When drinking baijiu, drink more water to help the alcohol exit your system through urine more quickly. When drinking beer, go to the restroom frequently. For hard liquor, it's best to add ice cubes.
4. Avoid binge drinking: Don't drink too quickly or too forcefully. Sip your drinks slowly to give your body time to metabolize the ethanol. Being forced to drink several shots at once or downing a glass in one go on a social setting can easily lead to intoxication.
5. Eat more green leafy vegetables: While drinking, eat more green leafy vegetables. The antioxidants and vitamins in them can protect your liver.
6. Eat more soy products: While drinking, eat more soy products. The lecithin in them has a protective effect on the liver.
7. Avoid carbonated drinks: When drinking, avoid carbonated beverages like cola or soda, as they can speed up the body's absorption of alcohol.