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May 10, 2024 · Alcohol affects water balance in the body in two ways. In the short term, it can act as a diuretic and make you pee more. But long-term alcohol abuse disorder and heavy alcohol use, like binge drinking, can actually cause water retention. That’s why some people wake up after a night of drinking feeling “puffy” or bloated.
Mar 18, 2024 · Alcohol, especially when consumed in excessive quantities, can make most people retain water in their bodies which manifests itself in the form of swelling. Most of the time, people will notice swelling a day or two after drinking. Drinking higher quantities and more often can increase water retention. Not everyone will retain water after ...
- Overview
- Why does alcohol dehydrate?
- Does it dehydrate skin or muscle?
- What to do if you’re dehydrated
- How to prevent dehydration
- The bottom line
Yes, alcohol can dehydrate you.
Alcohol is a diuretic. It causes your body to remove fluids from your blood through your renal system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, at a much quicker rate than other liquids.
If you don’t drink enough water with alcohol, you can become dehydrated quickly.
So what can you do to make sure you don’t get that infamous hangover headache caused by dehydration? Let’s find out and get a little background on why alcohol dehydrates you in the first place.
You’re drinking on an empty stomach
After you take a drink, both the liquid and alcohol contents of the beverage pass through your stomach lining and small intestine into the bloodstream. If you drink on an empty stomach, alcohol can be absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes. But if you drink water or eat while you consume alcohol, it may take much longer.
Alcohol begins to build up in your bloodstream
After it enters your bloodstream, alcohol can travel anywhere in your body. This includes your brain, which is why you feel loopy and your judgement is impaired when you’re buzzed or drunk. Alcohol can even get into the lungs and be released when you exhale. This is why breathalyzers are often used to check if someone’s driving while intoxicated. This test measures blood alcohol concentration (BAC), or the amount of alcohol in your blood.
Alcohol slowly gets metabolized by the body
Your body’s metabolism can turn some components of alcohol into nutrients and energy. This happens at a rate of about one beer, a small glass of wine, or one shot of liquor per hour.
Curious what’s going on in your body when you’re dehydrated by alcohol? Here’s a brief overview of what’s happening:
•Your skin can develop acne from changing hormone levels and oxidative stress due to alcohol consumption, according to a 2013 study.
•Your muscles can become stiff or cramped and even lose mass with drinking too much alcohol over time. This is known as alcoholic myopathy.
•Your liver can become damaged by excessive fat and protein build-up, as well as scarring, which can lead to liver disease and cirrhosis.
•Your kidneys can be harmed by high blood pressure and toxins as they process alcohol components into urine.
•Your brain can lose some of its main cognitive functions, such as making choices and responding to your environment, according to a 2013 study.
Here are some science-backed tips for what to do if you’re already dehydrated or hungover from consuming too much alcohol:
•Eat some food. Not only can food keep your blood sugar up, it can reduce the pain and discomfort of a hangover headache. Opt for protein-rich, vitamin-dense foods like eggs, nuts, and spinach.
•Drink electrolyte-fortified water or sports drinks. These can help you rehydrate more quickly than just plain water.
•Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs like ibuprofen limit the production of enzymes that contribute to migraine and headaches. So, taking an NSAID like ibuprofen may help prevent a hangover headache.
•Exercise. Doing some light exercise can boost your metabolism and help your body get rid of alcohol more quickly.
•Get some sleep. Allow your body to rest.
Before you go out for a night of drinking, here are some best practices for preventing the effects of dehydration while you’re consuming alcohol:
•Pad your stomach with vitamin-rich food. Consuming healthy foods can help balance the vitamins you may lose when you drink.
•Drink plenty of water. Have at least one 16-ounce glass of water with every 12-ounce beer or 4 to 6 ounces of liquor, for example. Water can replenish your fluids and help you stay hydrated.
•Stick with light-colored drinks. Dark, distilled liquors like whiskey and brandy contain high amounts of congeners, such as tannins and acetaldehyde. Congeners can dehydrate you more quickly and make a hangover feel worse, according to a 2010 study.
•Know yourself. Everyone processes alcohol differently, so drink at the rate you feel comfortable. If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, or weak, switch to water or consume healthy foods.
•Take it slow. Sip one drink per hour so your body has time to process the alcohol and lower your BAC.
The key to avoiding dehydration is to pay attention to how your body responds to alcohol.
Some people can tolerate a drink or two, or possibly more after consuming food or water. But others may start feeling the effects of alcohol after one drink or less. Many factors play a role in how your body processes alcohol, including:
•age
•gender
•weight
•genes
Feb 22, 2022 · Alcohol functions as a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more, leaving less fluid in your blood and potentially leading to dehydration. Drinking alcohol decreases the amount of vasopressin ...
Sep 22, 2022 · If you're exercising for more than an hour or so, it's likely you will need to replace the salt you're sweating out along with water, say the experts. But you don't have to do that by drinking ...
May 11, 2022 · 2. If you choose to consume alcohol, eat food before drinking. Most alcohol is absorbed by the small intestine. Some is also absorbed by the mouth and stomach. By eating before drinking, the rate at which alcohol reaches the small intestine is slowed, helping to taper absorption to a pace that your body can more easily manage. This can help ...
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2 days ago · Binge drinking: Consuming four or more drinks for women or five or more for men in one sitting. Heavy drinking: Having eight or more drinks for women or 15 or more drinks for men per week. Underage drinking: The consumption of alcohol by people younger than age 21. Drinking during pregnancy: Consuming any amount of alcohol while pregnant.
