Ever wake up after a fun night out regretting that extra glass of wine? We've all been there—pounding headache, queasy stomach, zero energy. According to doctors, the secret might already be in your fridge. That’s right—cheese could be your new go-to pre-drink fix. Here's how this delicious bite can save your morning after. For most of us, the price of a night out is a throbbing headaches, exhaustion and nausea. Hangover remedies, of course, are a dime a dozen, but few of them carry the seal of approval from a medical expert. But what if one of the most effective ways to avoid a hangover was waiting in your fridge all this time?Dr. Neena Chandrasekaran, a South Florida-based pulmonary critical care physician, recently tok to TikTok to share a surprisingly easy—and delicious—advice on how to prevent hangovers before they start. Her tip? Cheese.It's not simply about excess—cheese might even be of biological use, incidentally, if eaten prior to consuming alcohol. "If you're going out for the evening and you're going to consume alcohol, having cheese beforehand can reduce your chances of getting a hangover," Dr. Chandrasekaran reported recently in a popular TikTok video that has gone viral. As she concludes, the essential caveat that "no alcohol is better than any alcohol," her counsel is scientifically based.Cheese has a good balance of macronutrients—protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates. These aid in lining the stomach and slowing down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. The slower alcohol gets into your system, the smaller the likelihood that your blood alcohol content (BAC) will shoot up quickly, which is one of the main causes of hangover symptoms.When alcohol enters the system at too great a volume, it overloads the liver, dries out the body, and creates inflammation—all contributors to the hangover process. Cheese buffers that effect to some extent, both decreasing the shock to the system and the misery the morning after.Why Is Cheese as a Functional Food?One of the not-so-well-known effects of drinking alcohol is its stripping of essential nutrients such as calcium and B vitamins. Calcium is important for nerve and muscle function, while B vitamins are necessary in energy production and alcohol metabolism.Dr. Chandrasekaran points out that cheese is high in these two nutrients. By storing them up ahead of time, your body is more capable of coping with alcohol's impact. B vitamins, specifically, help liver enzymes metabolize alcohol—giving a metabolic boost before your first drink.Link Between Probiotic Cheese and Liver HealthAside from the traditional brie or cheddar, recent studies also point to the promise of probiotic cheese in counteracting the brash effects of alcohol. A South Korean study tested the effect of cheese enriched with Lactococcus lactis LB1022 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LB1418 on alcohol metabolism.This probiotic cheese was found to activate the activity of two essential enzymes—alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). These enzymes are integral to metabolizing ethanol and its harmful byproducts. The research also found that this cheese is beneficial in activating pathways in the liver that minimize fat deposition and inflammation—two signatures of chronic alcohol-induced liver injury.So not only can cheese assist you in waking up without a throbbing headache, but possibly it may safeguard your liver in the long term as well.Other Ways To Prevent A Bad HangoverAlthough cheese can act as a first line of defense, prevention of hangovers works best when done in a holistic manner. Everyone agrees that hydration is key. Alcohol functions as a diuretic, which raises urine production and results in dehydration. Consumption of water between alcoholic drinks can work against this.Also, including some foods while or after drinking could assist the body in recovering more effectively. Bananas are filled with potassium and restore electrolytes. Watermelon and oranges restore fluids and vitamin C. Eggs supply cysteine, an amino acid that helps to break down acetaldehyde, a poisonous byproduct of alcohol. Ginger alleviates nausea and calms an upset stomach.The lesson here isn't to drink with reckless abandon but how to take care of your body when and if you do. Cheese, usually just a snack or staple of charcuterie boards, is turning out to be an unlikely protector in the battle against hangovers—providing preventive as well as protective measures when eaten responsibly.Sure enough, no pre-drinking routine, no matter how healthy, overrides the dangers of overdrinking. Moderation is still the watchword, and people with certain medical conditions or on certain medications should talk to their medical professionals before having a drink.The next time you’re headed to a happy hour or celebration, consider reaching for a slice of aged gouda or a chunk of Parmesan beforehand. It could be the simple, doctor-approved step that makes your morning-after significantly more bearable.