September 2021

However, water might build up in other areas as our body tries to hold onto the fluids it has. The best way to quickly rehydrate is to regain the minerals flushed out due to excessive urination. One large study found excessive alcohol consumption is linked to accelerated facial aging. Drinking alcohol can dehydrate you, and it’s one of the main reasons you can get a hangover. If you or someone you know drinks alcohol, it is important to bring intention to the quantity that you consume, with knowledge of what is considered heavy or risky alcohol use. Additionally, making changes to the diet to replace dehydrating drinks may help. The best way to quickly rehydrate is to regain the minerals flushed out due to excessive urination. It is important for a person to be aware of the signs and symptoms of alcohol-induced dehydration and the ways to avoid it. Dehydration from Alcohol: How to Bounce Back from a Hangover (Or Prevent One) Too much sodium increases fluid loss as your body tries to flush it out. When you pair this with alcohol, the dehydration compounds further. After eating something salty, chase it with some ice tea, lemonade, or even plain water, rather than alcohol. Fortunately, researchers have discovered these effects are not sustained over multiple drinks. The diuretic effects are greatest as the level of alcohol in the body rises, but production of ADH recovers as the alcohol is metabolized. As ADH production recovers, the body regains its ability to conserve fluids and limit dehydration. Is electrolyte water good for you after drinking alcohol? This effect is why alcohol is often thought of as a diuretic. Due to the lower alcohol content, beer will dehydrate you slightly less than liquor. However, due to how alcohol affects the production of ADH, you will still become dehydrated after drinking beer. Eat hydrating foods Dehydration can be dangerous and even life-threatening if left untreated. The best way to rehydrate quickly is to regain the minerals that were flushed out due to excessive urination. Over time, mass mineral and electrolyte deficiencies can lead to rapid dehydration when alcohol enters the picture. A meal or snack can help restore some of the nutrients lost from dehydration while soaking up any alcohol still in your digestive tract. You’ll also want to include a quick dose of electrolytes, which work on a cellular level to carry much-needed fluids in and out of the cell. The Truth About Alcohol and Dehydration However, the intense heat of summer can cause some of us to lose enough fluids to go into heat exhaustion potentially leading to some of these symptoms if not properly attended to. Keep drinking until your pee is pale and clear, which shows you are well hydrated. If you have had severe diarrhoea or vomiting, you may also need to replace the salts, minerals, and sugars you may have lost along with the fluids. Speak to a pharmacist about what products may help in this situation. Your body uses vitamin B12 to eliminate alcohol from your body and aids in breakdown of carbs. These are all over one-third alcohol in total content and thus are more likely to dehydrate you. To understand why alcohol makes you urinate more you need to understand ADH. When the human body senses it is getting dehydrated, ADH is produced by the pituitary gland to reduce urination. does alcohol dehydrate you That splitting headache you wake up with after a fun night of drinking might not be entirely due to dehydration. 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. In addition, alcohol negatively impacts neurotransmitter balance and mood regulation, which can lead to symptoms of unease and anxiety on the days after drinking alcohol. These foods also have the bonus of being easy on the digestive system if yours is upset from drinking too much alcohol. However, alcohol’s dehydrating effects will be somewhat reduced in some of the “lighter” alcoholic drinks. Normally, this organ makes insulin and other chemicals that help your intestines break down food. Alcohol and Electrolyte Balance Over time, these changes can become habits and help correct dehydration issues. In another study in 20 older adults, drinking just 2 servings of wine increased short-term urine output. You can also pair the listed drinks with plenty of water throughout the day to help you stay hydrated. In addition, certain types of energy drinks contain other ingredients that could contribute to dehydration. Still, enjoying these drinks in moderation and pairing them with other beverages in your diet, such as water, is unlikely to cause dehydration. Alcohol will dehydrate you, which has adverse effects both in the short and long term. And if you need help with that, I’ve included some resources at the end of this article, including a quiz to help you assess your current drinking habits. Alcohol consumption can also impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Compared to other alcoholic beverages, beer is easy to come by in stores due to its low alcohol by volume (ABV); many beers are under 5% ABV, making them sellable in grocery stores in states with strict liquor laws. That’s why hard drinking can lead to diarrhea, which can turn into a long-term problem. Vasopressin causes your body to hold onto water, which limits the amount of urine output. But you can certainly ensure you are as hydrated as possible before consuming alcohol. You can also drink water before you go to bed to help replenish hydration levels. But, as Lindsey Pfau, M.S., R.D., points out, just one beer, for example, also has a lot of non-alcoholic fluids, which will help lessen the dehydrating effects of one beer. Dehydration can cause headaches, muscle aches, brain fog, and fatigue, and hydrating with water and electrolytes helps restore fluid balance and can minimize the unpleasant aftereffects of alcohol. Alcohol’s components are