Doctor reveals exactly how many drinks it takes to make you hungover

We can feel the splitting headache already

To mark Alcohol Awareness Week earlier this month, the Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor weighed in on the different stages of boozing (per The Mirror).

"One or two units of alcohol increases the heart rate, expands blood vessels, and gives a slight 'buzz' which commonly makes people feel more sociable or talkative," began Shah.

For context, one unit equals eight grams of pure alcohol - the amount an average person can process in an hour.

"After four to six units, alcohol begins to impact your nervous system, decreasing reaction time and affecting areas of the brain associated with decision making, resulting in poorer judgement and potentially more reckless behaviour."

The eight-unit point - equal to four pints of low-strength beer or cider (3.6%) or four regular glasses of wine (175ml) - is where the average drinker will have signed themselves up for a hangover the next day.

"After eight units, your vision and sleep will be affected and you will have consumed more alcohol than your liver can process in one night, resulting in a hangover," continued Shah. "And after 10 units, your coordination will be highly impaired and you can expect symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, as well as dehydration and headaches."

Meanwhile, the GP also delved into how you can flush alcohol out of your system.

"Your body will metabolise alcohol at its own rate and there is not much evidence that you can speed up this natural process. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the symptoms of your hangover," she revealed.

"Going to sleep is a good way to let your body naturally remove alcohol from your system by itself. Drinking water is also essential as it will prevent the dehydrating effects of the alcohol and reduce the impact of headaches."

Bland foods will increase blood sugar without upsetting the stomach, too.

According to a YouGov poll conducted in 2022, around 82% of UK residents drink the sweet nectar.

6% of them drink every day, while 4% drink five or six days of the week. 14% enjoy a sup one or two days, and 33% claimed to indulge less often.