Is Drinking Water A Real Hangover Cure? 4 Remedies To Rehydrate And Recover

You’ve been there before: waking up to a pounding headache, dry mouth, and an overwhelming sense of regret from the night before. As you sit up, clutching your head, you wonder, “Why did I drink so much?” We’ve all had those mornings when the aftermath of alcohol hits hard.

The usual go-to remedy is to chug water and hope for the best. But according to recent studies, that long-standing belief may not be as effective as we think.

For years, many have believed that staying hydrated is the key to avoiding or curing a hangover. The logic makes sense: alcohol dehydrates the body, so rehydrating should, in theory, reduce or prevent the symptoms. However, research from Utrecht University in the Netherlands challenges this notion. Studies found that dehydration is not the sole cause of hangovers, meaning that drinking water has a limited impact on the body’s recovery.

In a series of studies, researchers tracked the symptoms of individuals who drank water before bed compared to those who didn’t. While those who stayed hydrated felt less thirsty the next day, they experienced the same level of pain, nausea, and exhaustion as those who hadn’t. The conclusion? Drinking water might ease the dry mouth and thirst, but it does little to alleviate the more significant hangover symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue.

Cause of Hangovers

So, if dehydration isn’t the main culprit, what is? According to experts like Dr. Johnny Parvani, founder of REVIV, a hangover is caused by a combination of alcohol metabolism and dehydration. When alcohol is metabolized in the body, it creates byproducts that trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to the misery of a hangover.

Dr. Joris Verster, lead author of the Utrecht University study, simplifies it: “The more you drink, the more likely you are to get a hangover.” While hydration may help alleviate some symptoms, it doesn’t address the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by alcohol. Hangovers and dehydration, the research concludes, are co-occurring but separate consequences of excessive drinking.

Does Hangover Worsens with Age?

To make matters worse, hangovers tend to intensify as we age. As we grow older, our liver function declines, our body composition changes, and we retain less water. This leads to a higher concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream and a harsher hangover the next morning. While there’s no surefire remedy, being mindful of how much and how quickly we drink can make a difference.

What Really Helps? 4 Hangover Remedies

While there isn’t a scientifically proven hangover cure, some remedies can help ease the discomfort. Here are a few tried-and-tested methods:

1. Eat Bland, Carbohydrate-Rich Foods: To ease nausea, eating bland foods high in carbohydrates is recommended. Foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and crackers can help settle an upset stomach. Avoid greasy or heavy meals that may worsen nausea.

2. Rehydrate Gradually: While drinking water might not prevent a hangover, it’s still crucial to rehydrate after a night of drinking. Sip room-temperature water slowly rather than gulping it down to avoid upsetting your stomach further. Sports drinks, coconut water, and electrolyte-infused drinks can help restore your body’s balance of fluids and electrolytes.

3. Ginger for Nausea: Ginger is well-known for its anti-nausea properties. Sipping ginger tea or chewing on dried ginger can soothe your stomach and help ease hangover-related nausea.

4. Get Some Rest: Sleep is one of the best remedies for a hangover. If possible, allow yourself more time to rest and recover. Your body needs time to heal from the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by alcohol.

How To Prevent Hangover?

While hangovers are common, they aren’t inevitable if you take precautions. Here are some strategies to help prevent hangovers:

• Drinking at a slower pace allows your body more time to metabolize alcohol, reducing the severity of a hangover.
• Drinking on an empty stomach is a surefire way to worsen a hangover. Eating a substantial meal beforehand helps slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.
• Drinking a glass of water between alcoholic drinks can help reduce dehydration and slow down your alcohol intake.
• For women, the recommended alcohol limit is no more than one drink per day, while men should stick to two. Knowing and respecting your limits can go a long way in preventing a nasty hangover.

Hangovers are never fun, but they’re a reminder of the body’s limitations. While drinking water might help with some symptoms, it’s not the cure-all many of us believe it to be. The real key to preventing and easing hangovers lies in moderation, staying mindful of your alcohol intake, and giving your body the rest and nourishment it needs to recover.

So next time you find yourself in the throes of a hangover, be patient—recovery is just a matter of time.