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?
What Are Electrolytes?
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You consume electrolytes from foods and beverages.
Although sports drinks might be the most well-known beverage source,coconut waterand some juices also contain electrolytes.
you could also useelectrolyte powdersto make any drink contain electrolytes.
There are good reasons to consume electrolytes, such as during workouts and times of illnesshangovers included.
What Is a Hangover?
When you drink alcohol, your body metabolizes it into ethanol.
“Your body’s main priority is to metabolize ethanol into less-harmful byproducts,” Kaminski says.
However, your liver can only metabolize so much alcohol at once.
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.
That’s because your liver stops releasing glucose to process alcohol.
TheAmerican Diabetes Associationrecommends talking with your doctor to see if alcohol can fit into your life.
Hangover Symptoms
You might experience numerous symptoms when you have a hangover.
As a result, alcohol makes you urinate more, worsening dehydration.
Can Electrolytes Help?
The short answer is probably yes.
That said, electrolyte drinks don’t give you permission to drink excessively without consequences.
The Bottom Line
Nobody likes waking up with a hangover.
Frequently Asked Questions
After is a better option, Kaminski says.
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.”
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.
Smoothies and drinks like coconut water containing natural electrolytes can also be helpful.
