Drinking alcohol can dehydrate you, and it’s one of the main reasons you can get a hangover. This is because alcohol is a diuretic, which is a substance that induces diuresis or additional urine output. But the type of alcohol you choose affects how dehydrated you become. “The darker the beverage or higher the alcohol by volume (ABV) concentration, the more dehydrating it can be,” says New York City-based addiction specialist Aaron Sternlicht, LMHC, CASAC.

• You can stay hydrated and prevent dehydration by finding enjoyable ways to consume adequate fluids and increasing your intake of foods with a high water content.
• Dehydration is also a big part of why you get a hangover after drinking too much.
• Some people may react to the tannins in wine, while others are sensitive to ethanol, the chemical found in alcohol that causes vasodilation, or the dilation of blood vessels.
• Water is a cheap and healthy choice, but other fluids count as well, such as lower-fat milk, sugar-free drinks, tea and coffee.
• When you’re feeling thirsty or dehydrated, reaching for a refreshing beverage may seem like common sense.

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Some people may also pair liquor with other drinks and ingredients in mixed drinks. Drinks with high sugar content or caffeine combined with liquor in mixed drinks can make symptoms worse for some. When you’re feeling a hangover, it’s important to explore the root cause. Since the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol content reaches your bloodstream faster, you might find yourself bringing up politics with Aunt Janet just two drinks in. Whew, that’s not how you meant to start the Thanksgiving festivities. The amount of alcohol you consume will influence the symptoms you experience.

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If you have mild dehydration symptoms (e.g., thirst, dry mouth, dark yellow urine, headache), simply drinking an ample amount of plain water will likely sufficiently restore your fluid balance. To rehydrate your body after alcohol, it’s crucial to drink plenty of water and consider using an electrolyte powder to replenish electrolytes lost through increased urination. That makes beer the clear contender as the least dehydrating, with a big caveat. As important as alcohol content may be, even more important is how much you drink in a given sitting.

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Higher blood sugar may also cause the body to urinate more to get rid of this excess sugar, which can influence dehydration. Drinking 2–3 cups of coffee a day may be an acceptable practice to maintain moderate coffee consumption. An increased intake of coffee may cause a diuretic effect that promotes dehydration. When drinking alcohol, especially in hot weather, avoiding dehydration is critical.

A great way to prevent dehydration from alcohol is to make mineral supplements a part of your daily routine. You’ll be much less likely to experience dehydration if your body is already well-stocked with the nutrients it needs to fight back. Drinking after a nutrient-dense meal of healthy carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and fats provides more of a “slow release” effect. Because the antidiuretic effects kick in more slowly, you are less likely to experience dehydration.

Whether you spring for a craft cocktail, glass of wine, or a casual can of beer, their alcohol content will sadly act as a dehydrator on multiple fronts. This effect may very well be the primary reason we have a pounding headache, dry mouth, and low energy (at the very least!) the morning after heavy drinking. That’s right, most of why hangovers feel so terrible is intense dehydration. Plus, when we consume large amounts of added sugars, there will be a build up of sugar in the bloodstream after the cells take what they need to function.

• Sugary drink consumption is also linked with several health issues, such as an increased risk of high blood sugar, heart disease, and more.
• Intestinal inflammation can impair the body’s ability to absorb fluids from the foods and beverages you consume, leaving you at risk of dehydration.
• Depending on the juice variety in question and how it’s made, fruit (and some vegetable) juices can be a super healthy, hydrating choice.

Alcohol is processed by the liver, which produces acetaldehyde and other byproducts when metabolizing cocktails. While many of these will be removed from the body through carbon dioxide and water release from the lungs (i.e. this is how breathalyzers work) some will be metabolized and excreted through the kidneys. Alcohol does alcohol dehydrate you also suppresses the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, exacerbating this beverage’s diuretic effect and dehydration capacity. But even if you have been told to limit the amount of fluid you drink, it’s still crucial to stay hydrated. If you’re on fluid restriction, ask your healthcare team before trying the tips above.

• Heavy drinking will cause dehydration, no matter what preventative strategies you are using.
• If you’re drinking at altitude, you should probably start out with less alcohol than usual.
• Drinking a lot of low-alcohol drinks can also add up to a very thirsty evening, though.
• To make meeting your hydration needs easier, you can add flavor to your water by using refreshing water additives like lemon juice, berries, and fresh herbs.
• While it may seem like a simple task, this is one of the most common causes.