Super Bowl Survival in North Dakota: Cheese is Key

This year's Super Bowl is on Sunday, February 9, with Kansas City facing off against Philadelphia. About 130 million Americans plan to go to a Super Bowl party or watch the Big Game at a bar.

That’s a whole lot of cheering, snacking, and, of course, drinking. In fact, 54 million cases of beer are sold for Super Bowl Sunday, making it one of the biggest drinking days of the year. And with all that alcohol flowing, it’s no surprise that 43% of Americans say they’d trade another work holiday just to have the Monday after the Super Bowl off—probably because they’re battling a hangover.

Hangovers are brutal. The pounding headache, the nausea, the sheer inability to function after a night of heavy drinking—it's enough to make you swear off alcohol forever. But before you chalk it up to just another rough morning, experts say your symptoms could be more than just a standard hangover.

Dr. Raj Dasgupta explains that a hangover "is what happens when you drink more alcohol than your body can handle. It’s a combination of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, inflammation, and your liver working overtime to process alcohol.” However, if you experience flushing (especially in the face), a stuffy nose, nausea, or a racing heartbeat shortly after drinking—even in small amounts—you might actually have alcohol intolerance or an allergy.

Want to Avoid a Super Bowl Hangover? Pass the Cheese!

If you’re planning to celebrate with a few drinks, you might want to load up on cheese beforehand. Dr. Neena Chandrasekaran, a pulmonary critical care doctor, went viral on TikTok for sharing that cheese could help prevent a nasty hangover.

Packed with protein, fat, and complex carbs, cheese helps coat your stomach, slowing alcohol absorption and aiding metabolism. It’s also rich in B vitamins and calcium, which alcohol can deplete. Plus, cheese may even offer some protection for your liver. While it won't make drinking consequence-free, it could make Monday morning a little more bearable.

North Dakota's Favorite Cheese?

Speaking of cheese, North Dakotans know a thing or two about their favorites. According to a recent survey by casino.ca, Pepper Jack reigns supreme in North Dakota. Meanwhile, our neighbors in Montana and South Dakota prefer mozzarella, while Minnesota sticks with the classic cheddar. Across the U.S., cheddar is the overall favorite, leading in 24 states, followed by mozzarella in 17.

So, whether you're indulging in some spicy Pepper Jack, savoring a cheesy snack before drinks, or just enjoying North Dakota’s favorite dairy delight, cheese might just be your best bet for a better morning after a night out.