Why drinking water doesn’t cure a hangover? Learn what you can do

It is a popular belief that drinking plenty of water after a night of drinking can help prevent hangovers, the after-effects of alcohol. However, according to experts, this is a myth. By studying data from at least three comprehensive studies, scientists at Utrecht University in the Netherlands concluded that dehydration is not the only cause of hangovers.

Therefore, drinking water does not have a great effect on the body’s recovery.

According to experts, the study looked at the hangover symptoms of drinkers who drank water before bed compared to those who did not. The results showed that those who drank water felt less dehydrated, but the degree of headache, nausea and exhaustion was the same as those who chose to forego the H2O.

Researchers concluded that drinking water during or immediately after drinking is not effective in preventing a hangover. Furthermore, drinking water after a hangover has occurred has not been shown to alleviate the severity of symptoms.

Dr. Johnny Parvani, founder and chief medical officer of REVIV, previously told the New York Post: “A hangover is a clinical condition characterized by a combination of the effects of alcohol metabolism and dehydration.”

How does alcohol cause dehydration?

If you drink too much alcohol, the amount of ADH you produce is reduced, which increases the amount of urine you produce. Every drink of alcohol you drink forces your kidneys to produce an extra 120 milliliters of urine, on top of the normal 60-80 milliliters per hour, leading to dehydration.

According to experts, dehydration occurs due to the loss of water and electrolytes due to the activation of the hormonal system that regulates blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte balance. It also increases oxidative stress in the body, which causes inflammation.

If you drink something, both the liquid and the alcohol pass through the lining of your stomach and small intestine into your bloodstream. After drinking on an empty stomach, alcohol can be absorbed into your bloodstream within minutes. Dehydration causes thirst, a common morning-after symptom, but studies indicate that thirst and dehydration are relatively short-lived.

Side effects of alcohol on the body

The following things happen in your body when you are dehydrated by alcohol:

Fur

The skin develops acne due to changes in hormonal levels and oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption.

Musculature

According to experts, drinking too much alcohol over time can cause muscles to become stiff or cramped and lose mass.

Liver

Drinking too much alcohol damages the liver due to excessive accumulation of fat and protein, as well as causing scarring that leads to liver diseases such as cirrhosis.

Kidneys

Alcohol also damages the kidneys by causing high blood pressure and increasing toxicity.

Hangovers get worse with age

Experts say that as we age, liver function deteriorates, the body stores less water, and we may also lose muscle mass, so hangovers only get worse. This also happens because there is a higher concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream.

What is the best way to cure a hangover?

According to doctors, while abstaining from alcohol is the best defense against its crippling consequences, some ways to mitigate the after-effects include:

Eat

Experts say that eating not only keeps blood sugar levels up, but also reduces the pain and discomfort of a hangover headache. So eat foods rich in protein and vitamins.

Drink electrolytes

Electrolyte-fortified water or sports drinks can help you rehydrate more quickly than water alone.

Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

NSAIDs and pain relievers like ibuprofen help stop the production of enzymes that cause migraines and headaches.

Exercise

Enjoy some light exercise to help boost your metabolism and help your body eliminate alcohol more quickly.

Sleep

Get enough deep sleep to allow your body to rest.