In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Are Electrolytes?What Is a Hangover?Can Electrolytes Help?FAQs
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Are Electrolytes?
What Is a Hangover?
Can Electrolytes Help?
FAQs
You’ve planned a night out with friends, and you have no desire to wake up with a hangover the next morning. Granted, you could skip the alcohol completely and not worry about any side effects. But if you want to imbibe, could an electrolyte drink help prevent a hangover?
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There are good reasons to consume electrolytes, such as during workouts and times of illness—hangovers included. “Electrolytes are mainly lost through sweat, but they are also lost through waste production and vomiting,” saysJackie Kaminski, M.S., RDN, a National Academy of Sports Medicine ambassador in Palm Beach, Florida. “Anytime you’re losing fluids, you’re losing electrolytes, and it’s important to replace those.”
Dehydration plays a large role in this, mainly because alcohol affects your body’s ability to retain fluid. On top of this,alcohol triggers inflammation, which can contribute to hangover symptoms.
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Alcohol Can Affect Blood Sugar Control
Because alcohol can worsen blood sugar regulation, high alcohol consumption isn’t recommended for people with diabetes, Kaminski says. That’s because your liver stops releasing glucose to process alcohol. That, in turn, causes your blood sugar level to drop quickly, which can lead to extremely low blood sugar if you’re taking certain types of diabetes medication. TheAmerican Diabetes Associationrecommends talking with your doctor to see if alcohol can fit into your life. If so, you’ll need to keep your intake low, enjoying no more than one or two drinks a day.
Hangover Symptoms
You might experience numerous symptoms when you have a hangover. They can last as long as 24 hours and include the following, according to theNIAAA:
Causes
Dehydration and a loss of key electrolytes and other nutrients can lead to common hangover symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, thirst and stomach pain.
The short answer is probably yes. That said, electrolyte drinks don’t give you permission to drink excessively without consequences. “While they won’t prevent a hangover, electrolytes could reduce the symptoms of one,” says Catherine Gervacio, RD, dietitian and nutrition writer for Living.Fit. Since electrolytes canhelp restore the balance of fluidsin your body after drinking alcohol, she explains that you may experience less severe symptoms of a hangover.
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The Bottom Line
How Much Alcohol Should You Be Drinking?
Frequently Asked QuestionsAfter is a better option, Kaminski says. Note, though, that staying hydrated while you drink is important, so sip either water or an electrolyte drink between each alcoholic beverage.You’ll want to hydrate with fluids, which can include electrolyte drinks. Unfortunately, when you have a hangover, you may have to wait it out until it goes away. According to theNIAAA, “there is no cure for a hangover other than time.” In the future, you want to be more mindful of the amount you drink to prevent a hangover in the first place.Alcohol depletes many of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs. The main ones are thiamin, B12, folic acid and zinc. To replenish these nutrients, Kaminski recommends eating foods like fruits, fortified cereals and eggs on hangover days.If you’ve had excessive amounts of alcohol, water alone won’t cut it. “I suggest various fruit juices or anything loaded with B vitamins, since those [vitamins] are significantly depleted with alcohol consumption,” Kaminski says. Smoothies and drinks like coconut water containing natural electrolytes can also be helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
After is a better option, Kaminski says. Note, though, that staying hydrated while you drink is important, so sip either water or an electrolyte drink between each alcoholic beverage.
You’ll want to hydrate with fluids, which can include electrolyte drinks. Unfortunately, when you have a hangover, you may have to wait it out until it goes away. According to theNIAAA, “there is no cure for a hangover other than time.” In the future, you want to be more mindful of the amount you drink to prevent a hangover in the first place.
Alcohol depletes many of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs. The main ones are thiamin, B12, folic acid and zinc. To replenish these nutrients, Kaminski recommends eating foods like fruits, fortified cereals and eggs on hangover days.
If you’ve had excessive amounts of alcohol, water alone won’t cut it. “I suggest various fruit juices or anything loaded with B vitamins, since those [vitamins] are significantly depleted with alcohol consumption,” Kaminski says. Smoothies and drinks like coconut water containing natural electrolytes can also be helpful.
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