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| Can prosecco ever be hangover-free? | Can prosecco ever be hangover-free? |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| The promise of a hangover-free tipple will have many of us reaching for the bubbles to celebrate. But wouldn't that be too good to be true? | The promise of a hangover-free tipple will have many of us reaching for the bubbles to celebrate. But wouldn't that be too good to be true? |
| With party season approaching, budget supermarket Lidl has hinted that its new organic prosecco might bring drinkers a step closer to a night out without the banging headache the morning after. | With party season approaching, budget supermarket Lidl has hinted that its new organic prosecco might bring drinkers a step closer to a night out without the banging headache the morning after. |
| The media have seized on it, splashing a "hangover-free" claim across their titles. | The media have seized on it, splashing a "hangover-free" claim across their titles. |
| The reality, though, is a little more nuanced. | The reality, though, is a little more nuanced. |
| Richard Bampfield, master of wine at Lidl, explains that organic wine producers use a lower level of sulphites in the production process, which means they are less likely to contribute to hangovers. | Richard Bampfield, master of wine at Lidl, explains that organic wine producers use a lower level of sulphites in the production process, which means they are less likely to contribute to hangovers. |
| "If you don't react well to sulphites, you could be saying good riddance to hangovers with Lidl's organic Prosecco Spumante," he says. | "If you don't react well to sulphites, you could be saying good riddance to hangovers with Lidl's organic Prosecco Spumante," he says. |
| But is it the sulphites or something else that's causing the hangover? | But is it the sulphites or something else that's causing the hangover? |
| Mark Leyshon, from Alcohol Concern, says there's no such thing as a hangover-free alcoholic drink. | Mark Leyshon, from Alcohol Concern, says there's no such thing as a hangover-free alcoholic drink. |
| "It's not always the most fun answer but that's the science," he tells the BBC. | "It's not always the most fun answer but that's the science," he tells the BBC. |
| "The only way to avoid one is to drink less." | "The only way to avoid one is to drink less." |
| He acknowledges that organic wine probably does contain fewer sulphites, namely sulphur dioxide. | He acknowledges that organic wine probably does contain fewer sulphites, namely sulphur dioxide. |
| As such, there's a possibility that a small number who are sensitive to sulphites are less likely to get a headache but that won't be the case for the majority, he says. | As such, there's a possibility that a small number who are sensitive to sulphites are less likely to get a headache but that won't be the case for the majority, he says. |
| Sulphur dioxide, which is produced naturally in wine-making, is generally considered harmless. | Sulphur dioxide, which is produced naturally in wine-making, is generally considered harmless. |
| It is commonly used as a preservative in foods, including dried apricots and other dried fruits. | It is commonly used as a preservative in foods, including dried apricots and other dried fruits. |
| A few people, such as severe asthma sufferers, can be sensitive to it which is why wines containing more than a certain amount must display a warning on their label. | A few people, such as severe asthma sufferers, can be sensitive to it which is why wines containing more than a certain amount must display a warning on their label. |
| But, despite that, it seems there's no getting away from it - the main cause of a hangover is alcohol. | But, despite that, it seems there's no getting away from it - the main cause of a hangover is alcohol. |
| 'Big meal' | 'Big meal' |
| Dr Nick Knight, a GP registrar, says a hangover is "a complicated business" for which there is no known cure. | Dr Nick Knight, a GP registrar, says a hangover is "a complicated business" for which there is no known cure. |
| "It's caused by dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic meaning it makes you go to the toilet more, you drink less water and eat less. | "It's caused by dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic meaning it makes you go to the toilet more, you drink less water and eat less. |
| "When you wake up the next morning, your sugar levels are low and you feel exhausted." | "When you wake up the next morning, your sugar levels are low and you feel exhausted." |
| The British Medical Journal (BMJ) says there's no effective way to treat or prevent a hangover, he adds. | The British Medical Journal (BMJ) says there's no effective way to treat or prevent a hangover, he adds. |
| Nevertheless, Dr Knight advises drinking a pint of water before bed and eating a big meal the day after to potentially mitigate the effects. If you have any ongoing concerns, visit your GP. | Nevertheless, Dr Knight advises drinking a pint of water before bed and eating a big meal the day after to potentially mitigate the effects. If you have any ongoing concerns, visit your GP. |
| Mark, from Alcohol Concern, adds: "Even if you are drinking prosecco with fewer sulphites - if you drink enough of it, it will make you feel ill. | Mark, from Alcohol Concern, adds: "Even if you are drinking prosecco with fewer sulphites - if you drink enough of it, it will make you feel ill. |
| "Alcohol is not an ordinary commodity - it's a toxic chemical, regardless of whether it's organic or not. | "Alcohol is not an ordinary commodity - it's a toxic chemical, regardless of whether it's organic or not. |
| "It will make you ill in the short term and over the long term can give you health problems." | "It will make you ill in the short term and over the long term can give you health problems." |
| His tips on how to avoid a hangover are: | His tips on how to avoid a hangover are: |
| Prosecco is lower in alcohol than other sparkling wines, at about 11 or 12%. | |
| Men and women are advised by the NHS not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week. | Men and women are advised by the NHS not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week. |
| That's the equivalent of 10 small glasses of prosecco. | That's the equivalent of 10 small glasses of prosecco. |