What should I drink before consuming alcohol to avoid getting drunk easily and protect my stomach?
Generally, drinking beverages such as light salt water, honey water, milk, millet porridge, yogurt, or taking medications such as sucralfate oral suspension, compound bismuth aluminate granules, colloidal bismuth pectin granules, potassium citrate bismuth granules, and vitamin C granules before drinking alcohol can help prevent intoxication and reduce gastric irritation. The detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Beverages
1. Light Salt Water
Light salt water has a diuretic effect, which helps excrete some alcohol through urine, thus reducing the risk of intoxication. Drinking an appropriate amount of light salt water before consuming alcohol can accelerate the body's metabolism and promote the elimination of alcohol. However, the salt concentration should not be too high to avoid irritating the gastric mucosa.
2. Honey Water
Pectin in honey water can form a protective layer on the gastric mucosa, reducing damage caused by alcohol. Additionally, honey water has a diuretic effect that accelerates the elimination of alcohol. Drinking an appropriate amount of honey water before drinking not only helps protect the stomach but also alleviates discomfort after intoxication.
3. Milk
Milk is rich in protein, which forms a protective layer on the gastric mucosa, delaying alcohol absorption and reducing gastric irritation. Drinking a glass of pure milk or yogurt about half an hour before drinking alcohol can accelerate the breakdown of acetaldehyde in alcohol, further reducing the likelihood of intoxication.
4. Millet Porridge
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach increases irritation to the gastric mucosa and makes intoxication more likely. The starch and protein in millet porridge can form a protective layer on the gastric mucosa, reducing direct irritation from alcohol. Moreover, millet porridge contains abundant dietary fiber and B vitamins, which help maintain overall health.
5. Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics and lactic acid bacteria, which not only help maintain a normal intestinal flora balance but also promote alcohol metabolism in the body. The protein and fat in yogurt can form a protective film in the stomach, reducing direct irritation to the gastric mucosa caused by alcohol.
II. Medications
1. Sucralfate Oral Suspension
Sucralfate oral suspension is a weakly basic antacid that forms a protective layer in the stomach, covering ulcers and preventing erosion by gastric acid, pepsin, and bile acids. Taking an appropriate amount before drinking alcohol can effectively reduce direct irritation of alcohol to the gastric mucosa and prevent post-drinking discomfort such as stomach pain and bloating.
2. Compound Bismuth Aluminate Granules
Compound bismuth aluminate granules can form a bismuth-peptide complex protective layer on the gastric mucosa after oral administration, preventing irritation caused by alcohol. Taking these granules before drinking can protect the gastric mucosa from dual damage by alcohol and gastric acid, helping to relieve post-drinking discomfort such as stomach pain and acid reflux.
3. Colloidal Bismuth Pectin Granules
Colloidal bismuth pectin granules can form a protective film on the gastric mucosa after oral administration and stimulate gastric mucosal epithelial cells to secrete mucus, enhancing mucosal protection. This medication significantly reduces damage to the gastric mucosa caused by alcohol and reduces the occurrence of post-drinking gastric discomfort.
4. Potassium Citrate Bismuth Granules
Potassium citrate bismuth granules are gastric mucosal protectants that can form a diffuse protective layer within the stomach, covering the gastric mucosa and effectively reducing direct irritation and damage caused by alcohol.
5. Vitamin C Granules
Vitamin C granules are vitamin supplements that not only promote alcohol metabolism, reducing its retention time in the body and helping to lower the risk of intoxication, but also have a calming effect, helping to relieve possible tension and anxiety during drinking.
When consuming alcohol, it is advisable to sip slowly and avoid rapid or excessive drinking. Drinking slowly allows the body sufficient time to metabolize alcohol, reducing the likelihood of intoxication.