If you’ve ever found yourself uttering words to the effect of “I swear I  just don’t seem to recover the way I used to after a big night out,” you’ll be happy to know it’s not just in your mind.

Elite Daily recently invited Dr. Kevin Soden and fitness expert Ricki Friedman to delve into exactly why our hangovers seem to become more nausea-inducing and head-throbbing every time we blow out another birthday candle. And science (as always) seems to have the answer.

Firstly Soden and Friedman explained that a lot of our hangover torture is due to the way our bodies process alcohol.

Generally, we’re capable of processing one standard drink per hour. If you spend the night knocking back the bevies at a much faster speed, you’re asking a hell of a lot of your system. Because the process of metabolising alcohol turns a highly toxic chemical into a non-toxic one, the toxicity levels build up as your liver struggles with the process, therefore leaving you effectively poisoned with alcohol.

We’re sure we don’t need to remind you that this results in you feeling dehydrated, nauseous and fatigued.

Related: You can get drunk without actually touching a drop of alcohol. Seriously

So why is does this process seem to get worse with age? Friedman explains our livers aren’t quite up to the task anymore. “As we get older, our livers produce less antioxidants, and the toxins end up passing through our bodies causing headaches, vomiting and all those other really fun hangover experiences.”

Hungover? Mia Freedman's green smoothie might help...

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In addition, ageing livers often become fatty due to changes in lifestyle and diet. A fatty liver is one which is inefficient in processing alcohol, therefore leaving you with a much worse hangover than you would have experienced in your younger years.

Back in the day you used to be able to party all night, throw back shots like no ones business and after a quick shower, turn up semi-presentable to work. Nowadays your hangover seems to be a prolonged journey of pain and torture which often lasts the entire duration of the day. We know, it’s not fair.

Alcohol also disrupts our sleep patterns which can, in turn, affect the way we bounce back after a big night on the turps. Drinking alcohol, claims Soden, affects the REM patterns of sleep, which enable the body to recover and repair.

Related: Which alcohol gives you the worst hangover? 

Perhaps it's time to hang up your card carrying membership at happy hour and stick to the recommended amount of drinks per night. Your 'tomorrow self' will thank you for it.

Have your hangovers become more and more horrific with every year you age?

10 foods you never knew were healthy

Bread

KATIE THOMSITT, Dieticians Australia spokesperson says: "Lots of people shy away from bread to achieve weight loss. But bread is such an important source of fibre, and plays such a helpful role in weight loss and preventing bowel cancer. A couple of slices of a dark, seedy bread per day is absolutely fine."

Cheese

KATIE SAYS: "Cheese is definitely a higher fat source of dairy, but still a good dairy fat. Choose low-fat options if you have it regularly, otherwise consume it in moderation. One serve of dairy is 30g, so a couple of slices is absolutely fine."

Chocolate

KARA LANDAU, The Travelling Dietician says: "Studies have been able to show that dark chocolate can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce blood pressure in healthy individuals, protect against heart disease, and improve HDL good cholesterol (not a bad start for such a tasty food!). Dark chocolate also contains polyphenols, whilst white chocolate does not. These polyphenolic compounds are able to relax blood vessels allowing for better blood circulation, and thereby assisting with the maintenance of healthy blood pressure levels."

Coffee

KATIE SAYS: "Coffee is a really good snack, in particular if its milk-based to get the dairy in - for example, a skim latte. As long as its in moderation - daily guidelines say a maximum of three per day! And you want lots of water on top of that."

Eggs

KARA SAYS: "Yes, even the yolks are good for you! Healthy fat soluble vitamins, as well as half the protein found in an egg, are all found in the yolk!"