For a good chunk of us Brits, Christmas can be quite the boozy affair - and there’s absolutely no denying that.
No matter how your Christmas tends to pan out, if you’re partial to an alcoholic tipple, then there’s an extremely good chance that one or two - or considerably more - are going to be sipped on throughout the festive season.
But with the Christmas drinking usually comes the all-mighty Christmas hangover.
It turns out though, that us Leeds lot are set to be feeling the fuzzy heads more than others this year, as research conducted by CBD and supplements brand, fourfive from 2022 revealed which UK cities are likely to be the most hungover this Christmas - and Leeds has got itself a spot in the top five.
According to the research, searches for ‘hangover cure’ increase by 34% on average each December as Brits clamber to ease sore heads and waves of nausea brought on by the party season.
The data reveals that Newcastle made the most searches for ‘hangover cure’ on a per capita basis - with 889 searches per 100,000 people during the festive period.
In second and third place are Belfast and Manchester, respectively, with Leeds and Norwich also securing their place in the top five most hungover cities.
Leeds will be one of the most hungover city this Christmas / Credit: Sandy Hibbard (via Unsplash)
Top 10 Most Hungover Cities in the UK
Newcastle
Belfast
Manchester
Leeds
Norwich
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Nottingham
Bristol
Birmingham
According to the survey, on average, the term ‘hangover cure’ generates 22,200 average monthly searches, but they typically increase in December.
Other queries that typically see an increase at Christmas include searches for ‘hangover remedies’ and ‘best thing for a hangover’, so, with so many of us searching for the illusive hangover cure, what is the best way to tackle post Christmas party side effects?
Clinical neuroscientist and nutritionist, Dr Elisabeth Philipps, from fourfive says proper hydration is the key to swift recovery this Christmas, explaining: "Alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water and by taking a hydration tablet before drinking alcohol and after a heavy drinking session the next morning. B vitamins are also crucial to helping with your energy levels, and topping up your electrolytes will help to replace the lost water in your body.
Searches for ‘hangover cure’ increase by 34% on average each December / Credit: Andisheh A (via Unsplash)
“Make sure to eat before drinking too.
"Healthy fats are the best option to line the stomach, which is where alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Try an avocado smoothie, hummus salad. or even cheese on toast to set yourself up for the night.
"It can be tempting to try and sweat out the hangover but too much exercise will only worsen dehydration - keep it light with a winter walk or simple yoga session.”
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Channel 4 is looking for adult virgins with ‘intimacy issues’ for next series of hit reality show
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before.
First hitting screens back in 2024 and having run for two successful seasons now, Virgin Island follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Emily Sergeant -
17th December 2023 
