here is one very obvious way to prevent a hangover on New Year's Day this year ? just don't drink. Or at least not much, especially not so much that you start off 2006 with a cannon ball firing inside your head and your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth.

However, this can be easier said than done, especially if you have a big night of fun and frolics planned with your friends and family. And for some reason, although we may repeatedly wake up saying "I'm never drinking again!" we very rarely learn. In fact by the following evening, when we have progressed from a lying down to a sitting up position, a glass of wine can seem like a very pleasant idea.

It's one of the world's remaining mysteries. Why, when we can be ill afterwards, can we not learn from our mistakes? It seems that whilst we're a perfectly intelligent species in many other respects, we rarely learn from previous alcohol-induced stupidity. Unfortunately this is because many of us enjoy feeling drunk so much, that the headaches, vomiting and general near-death experience the following morning seem like a reasonable pay-off. It would also be fair to say that by the time we have had two or three drinks, our ability to make a sensible decision has long gone.

And I do understand, honestly. Life is for living and I have personally had far too many ridiculous alcohol related incidents! However fortunately or unfortunately (I can never quite decide which), as I have learned more about nutrition and the impact of alcohol on the body, a boozy night out no longer holds the same appeal. If I start drinking too much, I know exactly what it's doing to my body and that puts me off. The worst scenario for me is hangover doom and gloom, because not only do I feel terrible, I also know that of all people, I should know better.

These days I am much more reserved when it comes to drinking. However, I also have a few tricks up my sleeve that can help you lessen the severity of your hangover. First, you need to understand the impact that drinking too much can have on your body, but I will also show you how to prevent the worst ? is that a reasonable compromise?

o you actually know what your liver does? Most people know that it "detoxifies" but not much else. The liver actually takes nutrients from your digestive tract and uses them for building protein and boosting blood sugar. It makes sure that the cholesterol you eat and the cholesterol your body makes, is used for your benefit (e.g. nurturing nerve and brain cells) rather than becoming harmful. The liver rearranges amino acids so that you have the specific protein you need, takes iron to the bone marrow to make new red blood cells and synthesises hormones. In addition, it breaks toxins down to safer substances, eliminates them or even stores them if there are too many in the body. And this is just the start!

As a consequence, every part of your body relies to an extent on your liver. This means that if your liver is toxic, or under functioning, your health will be adversely affected too.

Even though the liver can safely store some toxins, if it has to store too many then it can be damaged and your health will suffer as a result. What happens to your health? Well you may put on weight, have imbalanced hormones, a poor digestive system, suppressed immunity, bad skin, headaches, cellulite and nausea. Serious liver damage of course leads to jaundice and cirrhosis.

Alcohol and its by-product acetaldehyde, are both toxic to the liver and must be broken down using nutrients (especially zinc) that could otherwise be used to benefit your body. Alcohol also increases the amount of fat in your liver ? which in itself gives the liver more work to do, but also makes it less able to do it's job. However, the liver is capable of detoxifying some alcohol so it is fine to drink . Recent research suggests that the liver is capable of processing 2 glasses of wine a day. This doesn't mean that if you don't drink for six days, your body can handle 14 drinks on the seventh day!

Now while ideally you won't drink more than two glasses of alcohol a day, I understand this may not be realistic ? especially tomorrow night.

So to help you prevent hangover doom and gloom on Sunday, try out the tips below:

Red wine is a much better option than white wine, beer or spirits. It is rich in compounds called proanthocyanidins or OPCs. These are powerful antioxidants that are known to work with vitamin C to protect your heart, brain, eyes, joints and they boost your immune system. However, take it easy, because if you drink more than 2 glasses, the quantity of alcohol can be counterproductive.

If you do drink spirits, avoid sugary mixers such as cola, tonic, ginger beer and Sprite. Refined sugar is a burden for the liver and so makes you less able to detoxify alcohol efficiently. Artificial sweeteners also need to be detoxified, so the best option is to mix spirits with soda water or fruit juice with LOTS of ice.

A social faux pas if you are enjoying a glass of merlot at the wine bar, but adding ice dilutes the alcohol and slows down the rate at which you drink. No one will bat an eyelid if you have a white wine and soda with lots of ice, or ask for your gin and tonic to come in a tall glass packed with ice.

The alcohol will pass through your system much more quickly and you can get drunk on much less than you think! Make sure you have a meal or healthy snack before you go out such as: blue corn chips with guacamole, hummus with rice cakes or unroasted nuts and raisins.

Such as steaks, pasta in a creamy sauce and pizza. These are hard to digest and the excess saturated fat can congest your liver, making it harder for it to detoxify the alcohol. These meals are also harder for your stomach to digest so can leave you feeling nauseous in the morning.

This is especially effective if you have had a heavy meal too. Peppermint helps settle digestion and ease nausea. If you don't think you will be sufficiently coordinated to make it when you get in, make it beforehand and store it in the fridge. Peppermint tea tastes great cold - put an extra cup by your bed to sip on if you wake.

Make sure you drink at least one pint of water when you come in, before you go to sleep. One of the major reasons hangovers can be so bad, is simply due to dehydration. Rehydration sachets can work wonders the morning after ? just make sure you dilute them with the right quantity of water to ensure electrolyte balance. Of course, if you have any medical issues or are taking any medication, please check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

8.

"Kill or cure" cooked breakfasts do precisely that. Either you are so hung over that your liver can't cope with the fat and you feel worse, or the food helps to settle your stomach and replace your lost energy. Even if it does make you feel better, fatty cooked breakfast can cause further liver damage so they are best avoided. Instead try something substantial, but lower in fat such as beans on whole-wheat toast, grilled bacon and poached eggs or museli with low-fat yogurt and berries.

9.

Do this with some food, when you come in and again the following morning. This can help replace some of the nutrients that have been depleted by the alcohol. Deficiency in B vitamins can be the cause of some of the fatigue you feel when you are hungover. However, don't do this if you feel sick and don't do this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It's important to take supplements with food otherwise they can make you feel worse and may not be absorbed anyway. Again, if you have any health concerns or are on medication, check with your doctor first.

10.

Milk Thistle is one of the best herbs that I have come across in my practice so far. This herb can actually help to detoxify and replenish liver cells. Whilst it is helpful on the day and the day after, it's often a great idea to take a course once or twice a year ? especially if you do end up drinking frequently through social or business activities. As always, if you are taking any medication or have a health concern, please consult your doctor. Milk Thistle should also not be used by anyone who has a liver disease or diagnosed liver damage. Milk Thistle is available from both Down to Earth and Rock On.