Wellbeing

The Essential Party Season Supplements For Energy, Immunity And Recovery

Image may contain Sydney Sweeney Accessories Jewelry Head Person Face Photography Portrait Happy Adult and Wedding
British Vogue fashion feature: 'Heat Waves'. Feature showcasing vintage fashion for S/S25 modelled by Lila Moss. Portrait of Lila Moss laughing with her eyes shut. She wears a cream asymmetric tulle dress from Dior, with a multicoloured vintage Meadham Kirchhoff tiara from Algo Bazaar. (Vogue Spain Commission)DAVID GOMEZ-MAESTRE

Party season supplements are the ultimate wellness hack. With a social-packed schedule that kicks off as early as November and runs until the new year, it is no wonder that many of us feel burnt out by the time we return to the office in January – not ideal for kickstarting resolutions with gusto.

Much like you would for an actual running race, the party season marathon requires proper preparation to put you in good standing for maximum enjoyment and minimal recovery. With a diet dominated by champagne and canapés, it’s not particularly conducive to consuming the necessary nutrients and minerals needed to strengthen and support the body, which is why supplementation may be the saviour.

From vitamin C to strengthen immunity and milk thistle to support the liver, to electrolytes to counteract the dreaded post-night out headache, and B vitamins to fight fatigue, here are the nutritionist and Vogue-approved supplements to survive the party season. It is, however, worth noting that while these dietary add-ons can help, they will not combat alcohol damage entirely.

Electrolytes

Staying hydrated is one of the worst-kept secrets for well-being. Almost all bodily functions need water to operate effectively, let alone when you are drinking alcohol, an infamous dehydrator. A fixture in my day-to-day routine, but all the more essential during party season, electrolytes are helpful for preventing that dreaded hangover. Rhian Stephenson, leading nutritional therapist, tells us, “These can be useful before and after drinking to counter dehydration and support fluid balance, energy and mood.”

Image may contain: Cylinder, Bottle, and Shaker

Hiro Hydration Electrolytes

  • Why we love it: Whether it’s the refreshing combination of ginger and lemongrass that feels like health in a glass or the not saccharine watermelon, the Hiro formulas are hands down the best-tasting electrolytes on the market. The effervescent tablets are dissolved in water and offer boosted hydration to combat headaches. They are not too salty or overly sweet. Game changer.
Image may contain: Advertisement, Poster, Business Card, Paper, and Text

LMNT Recharge Electrolytes

  • Why we love it: I was first introduced to the wonderful world of LMNT electrolytes by Dua Lipa, who stirred a sachet into her Evian in a curated Instagram dump. It’s not just the buzz of celebrity approval or the minimalistic branding - although both certainly help. It’s the no-nasties formula, free from any sugar, fillers or nonsense. Within each sachet is simply a functional blend of the holy trinity in hydration heroes: sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Replenishing the aforementioned is essential after heavy sweating, illness or intense exercise to prevent dehydration, and in the case of working out, to enhance performance.
  • The flavour range extends beyond just Watermelon Salt (a favourite of both Lipa and me), which is refreshing with a touch of salinity, to classic combinations like Citrus, Raspberry, Orange and Grapefruit, but the standouts are the Mango Chilli with a kick and Chocolate Salt. Unusual for an electrolyte? Yes, but stirred into hot water, it brings a hydration element to the traditional cocoa beverage.
Image may contain: Bottle, Aftershave, and Cosmetics

Artah Cellular Defence


B vitamins

“Chronic alcohol use depletes B vitamins,” Stephenson explains, and so, “supplementing may help long-term and consistent drinkers, but direct short-term hangover relief is inconsistent.” That being said, they can be beneficial. She adds, “B Vitamins are safe and may support overall liver metabolism, mood and energy, so may be supportive for many.”

Image may contain: Bottle, and Shaker

Pure Encapsulations

B-Complex Plus

Why we love it: The Vogue beauty desk is a huge fan of Pure Encapsulations on the whole, but the B-Complex Plus in particular for its mix of B vitamins and in specific forms that can easily be absorbed and used by the body. The result? An energy boost to rival that of your morning coffee, all without the jitters. There is also immunity support, and it can even benefit sleep.

Image may contain: Bottle, Shaker, and Cosmetics

Inora

Wake Up Call

“As a non-caffeine drinker, I'm hyper aware of my energy – or, to be more precise, my severe lack of energy”, Vogue’s beauty & wellness editor Morgan Fargo says. “For the last month, I've been resolutely taking Inora's daily offering: an energy booster in the morning, longevity supplement at midday and a calm-inducing one for the evening. Each tastes like a sweet tincture and contains a cocktail of ingredients designed to create the perfect environment for your body to thrive. Take the morning supplement, for example. Rather than giving you energy, the brand's chief medical officer, Dr Chandra Ratnam, explains to me, it's about supporting the internal processes that create energy. One month and a much brighter countenance and I'm sold.”


Magnesium

According to the expert, “Since alcohol increases magnesium loss, supplementation may reduce muscle cramping or sleep issues post-drinking, and it can also help support a more balanced mood.” The vitamin is commonly included in electrolytes, but look out for magnesium glycinate for the most bioavailable form.

Image may contain: Advertisement, Poster, and Bottle

Sult Electrolytes

Why we love it: The brainchild of content creator Milly Goldsmith and Henry Porpora, who founded the brand after an unsuccessful Hinge date (well, romantically at least), Sult’s mission is to cut out the nasties for pure hydration and optimised recovery. The right amount of water, as detailed to be 400-750ml is essential to encourage the product to diffuse effectively, but once this has happened, both the watermelon berry and peach citrus flavours make for a tasty beverage. And you get the benefits of all six staple electrolytes – sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride and phosphorus.

Image may contain: Advertisement, Poster, Bottle, Cosmetics, and Sunscreen

Zooki Electrolytes+ Energy and Focus

Why we love it: Not just effective in rehydration, but the Zooki Electrolytes+ Energy and Focus are also supercharged with L-theanine and caffeine, the former of which is attributed with improving mental function, calming anxiety and reducing stress, while the latter, much like your morning brew, enhances alertness and endurance.


Turmeric/Curcumin

A wellness multi-tasking hero, the better question is what can’t turmeric do? The ingredient has been tied to combating inflammation, improving digestion, and supporting memory and focus. “Because turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, it can naturally support the liver, but that doesn’t mean it will necessarily prevent hangovers,” says Stephenson. “Taking a holistic approach – with electrolytes, liver support, supportive nutrition, and moderation of drinking patterns is the best way to reduce the impact of more alcohol over the festive season.”

Image may contain: Jar, Bottle, Herbal, Herbs, Plant, Astragalus, and Flower

Thorne

Curcumin Phytosome Dietary Supplement

  • Why we love it: This turmeric supplement came highly recommended by multiple nutritionists we surveyed. “What’s unique about this supplement is it contains Meriva, which is the most clinically-studied curcumin on the market,” says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, registered dietitian and licensed sports dietitian, noting that as a phytosome complex, it provides superior absorption over other curcumin extracts. In fact, one study demonstrated that the absorption of Meriva was 29 times higher than ordinary curcumin.
  • Curcumin per serving: 1,000 mg
  • Form: Capsule
  • Certifications: Third-party certified
  • Serving size: Two capsules
  • Number of servings: 60
  • More to know: No fillers, additives, or allergens, four rounds of testing, U.S.-manufactured
Image may contain: Bottle, and Shaker

Life Extension

Curcumin Elite Turmeric Extract

  • Why we love it: For a turmeric supplement to be truly effective, it needs to be formulated with an ingredient that allows the body to better absorb curcumin. This supplement from Life Extension’s “combined curcumin with fenugreek fibres, which increases bioavailability and can help keep it longer in the bloodstream,” says Ehsani, who also loves that it’s third-party tested, “so you know what you are taking is truly in each pill.”
  • Curcumin per serving: 500 mg
  • Form: Capsule
  • Certifications: Third-party tested
  • Serving size: One capsule
  • Number of servings: 60
  • More to know: Vegetarian

Milk Thistle

Dating back to ancient times, milk thistle has been used as a traditional herbal remedy for detoxifying the liver, welcomed for its ability to soothe the symptoms of overindulgence, be it from alcohol or food. It encourages the healthy functioning of the key organ and improves digestion.

Image may contain: Herbal, Herbs, Plant, Food, Seasoning, Syrup, Bottle, Astragalus, Flower, and Shaker

Fushi

Organic Milk Thistle

Why it’s Vogue-approved: Using 100 per cent freshly-ground organic milk thistle seed – which equates to 80 per cent silymarin – and packaged in dark glass to preserve potency, the Fushi Organic Milk Thistle capsules deliver a pure, single-ingredient liver-support boost in one fell swoop.

Image may contain: Herbal, Herbs, Plant, Astragalus, Flower, Bottle, and Shaker

Cytoplan

Cytoplan Organic Milk Thistle

Why it’s Vogue-approved: Utilising the most potent part of the milk thistle plant – the seed, where the active compounds are concentrated – Cytoplan’s capsules gently support the liver. It comes highly rated by practitioners, too.


FAQs

What supplements help with energy during party season?

According to nutritional therapist Rhian Stephenson, “Supplements can definitely help with energy during the party season”. She favours targeted electrolytes and, in particular, a formula from her own label ARTAH – Cellular Hydration – which she praises for providing and benefiting “energy, mood, and staying mentally sharp.” She advises too that “It can also be helpful to set some nutrition boundaries to help you keep healthy foundations. Using your breakfast to pack in protein, fibre and vegetables is a good place to start - it's all about front-loading your day with good nutrition. Taking a fibre supplement daily can help keep energy and appetite more steady, and also ensure that you're getting closer to the RDA if eating goes awry in the evening.”

What should I take before a night out to feel better the next day?

“I like taking a liver support, and if I can remember electrolytes before bed,” details the expert. She spotlights ingredients like NAC, milk thistle and turmeric.

Best vitamins to support my immune system during party season

Taking a holistic approach to immune system support, Stephenson first details an ingredient in which many of us in the UK are deficient. “Vitamin D3 is a must in the winter, so it should form your base”. She expands further, “From there, a good immune complex that has vitamins and minerals like zinc, selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin C can be supportive, as well as mushrooms like reishi and cordyceps. It’s important to try to remain relatively balanced outside of the festivities as well. Looking after your gut will help strengthen your immunity, so focusing on fibre, lots of plant variety, and fermented foods is important.”

What supplements protect your liver before alcohol?

Stephenson cautions, “I think it’s important to clarify that no supplement has any reliable data showing that it can fully protect against liver damage from alcohol, and nothing will help in the same way that moderating alcohol will.” She continues, “That being said, if you’re drinking moderately, taking a liver support may help reduce some of the oxidative and inflammatory effects of alcohol. Animal and cell studies have shown that taking NAC before alcohol consumption may protect against acute alcohol-induced liver injury by replenishing glutathione, which reduces oxidative stress and decreases markers of liver cell damage, but not in binge drinking.”

What supplements reduce hangovers naturally?

“Electrolytes can help with alcohol related dehydration and nausea, and are usually the supplement that people feel the most immediate benefit from”, says Stephenson. “NAC may help support the breakdown of acetaldehyde, the toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism and naturally boost glutathione, which can potentially reduce oxidative stress and the severity of hangovers.”

What is the safest supplement for preventing nausea from drinking?

“Electrolytes can help with nausea from dehydration, and ginger can help settle the stomach,” she tells us, while also flagging that “various supplements can help blunt the severity of your hangover within reason”. But, and it is important to note, “none will counteract alcohol toxicity and potential liver damage, especially from binge drinking.”

Meet the expert

  • Rhian Stephenson is a leading nutritional therapist, naturopath, ex-athlete and founder of ARTAH