Does Alcohol Dehydrate You?

Does Alcohol Dehydrate You?

Going out for a night of drinking can be fun, but waking up with hangover symptoms the following day never is. One of the main causes of hangovers is dehydration. Drinking puts you at a higher risk of dehydration due to its diuretic effects. 

A diuretic is anything that induces diuresis, a medical term that simply means additional urine output. Excessive urination causes your body to lose vital electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride. These nutrients are essential for proper kidney function. 

According to one study, one drink of alcohol can lead to a 2 to 4% increase in additional urine output (diuresis).³

Why Does Alcohol Dehydrate You?

Understanding why consuming alcohol leads to increased urination requires an understanding of ADH. ADH stands for antidiuretic hormone (also known as vasopressin). When the human body senses it is getting dehydrated, ADH is produced by the pituitary gland to reduce urination.

Alcohol decreases the amount of ADH produced by your body, which makes it harder for the body to retain enough fluids. The higher the alcohol content, the greater this effect will be.

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 alcohol is metabolized. As it recovers, the body is once again able to conserve water and limit dehydration.¹

Does it Dehydrate Muscle, Skin, or Both? 

It is not currently known whether or not alcohol dehydrates muscle. However, scientists have learned of several other ways that it damages tissue. Due to its diuretic effect, alcohol makes it more likely for an electrolyte imbalance to occur. 

For athletes, this can be bad news, since it puts them at greater risk for pulling or straining their muscles, as well as cramps.³

Alcohol is also known to break down muscle tissue and reduce protein synthesis, resulting in muscle weakness, pain, and swelling. This can occur after only a single episode of binge drinking and may take a week or more to recover from residual effects. Chronic heavy drinkers show more significant muscle damage and loss.⁷

Too much alcohol can also lead to dry, inelastic skin. One large study found excessive alcohol consumption is linked to accelerated facial aging. The effects here include increased facial lines, puffiness in the eyes, loss of facial volume, and broken blood vessels.²

Alcohol can also cause facial redness and aggravate skin conditions such as rosacea, dermatitis, and psoriasis.¹⁰

What Type of Alcohol Dehydrates You The Most?

Drinks with more alcohol content will cause more dehydration. This includes most hard liquor like whisky, vodka, rum, and gin. These are all over one-third alcohol in total content and will be more likely to cause dehydration.

What Type of Alcohol Dehydrates You The Least?

Unfortunately, there is no alcoholic drink that will not cause dehydration to at least some extent. However, the dehydrating effects of alcohol will be somewhat reduced in some of the “lighter” alcoholic drinks. 

A glass of wine has around 12.5 to 14.5% alcohol  — much less than dark liquors. Beer will dehydrate the least, with a typical alcohol content of between 4 to 6%.⁶ 

Alcohol Dehydration Symptoms

Symptoms of dehydration range from mild to severe. How much alcohol you consume will influence what symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms of dehydration also differ by age. 

For an adult, symptoms include:

Does Dehydration Make Hangovers Worse?

Dehydration contributes to hangovers but is just a piece of the puzzle. Scientific studies have pointed to additional causes. These include inflammation, gastrointestinal irritation, poor sleep, and electrolyte imbalances. 

5 Tips to Prevent Alcohol Dehydration

Here are five tips to prevent dehydration from alcohol:

1. Eat plenty of food. Research shows that consuming alcohol on an empty stomach will lead to a higher blood alcohol content. This will quickly cause dehydration.
2. Limit the amount you drink. It takes most people one hour to metabolize one standard drink (14 grams of pure alcohol). Nursing that beer or glass of wine you’re holding will help you moderate your alcohol consumption.
3. Make sure you are hydrated beforehand. Contrary to popular belief, alternating alcoholic drinks and water will not help you avoid dehydration. But you can certainly make sure you are as hydrated as possible before attending that house party or cocktail.
4. Choose drinks with lower alcohol content. The higher the alcohol content, the more dehydrating the drink will be. Stick to beer and wine to mitigate any dehydration you may experience.
5. Know when to stop. Pay attention to how your body is feeling throughout the evening. Monitor your fluid intake and how much urine you are producing. Large amounts of dark-colored urine could indicate you are becoming dehydrated. 

Ways to Stay Hydrated While Drinking Alcohol

When drinking alcohol, especially in hot weather, avoiding dehydration is very important. One way to do this is to avoid sugary drinks. That margarita may seem refreshing, but the added sugar creates an acidic environment. This makes it harder for your body to store extra water. 

Chips and popcorn are mainstays at BBQs, but as tempting as they might be, salty foods are best eaten in moderation. Too much sodium will increase fluid loss as your body tries to flush it out, and that refreshing adult beverage will make it worse. After eating something salty, chase it with a drink of ice tea, lemonade, or even plain water, rather than alcohol. 

How to Rehydrate Fast After Drinking (Treatment Options/Resources)

The best way to rehydrate quickly is to regain the minerals that were flushed out due to excessive urination. 

There are rehydration salt tablets available for purchase at your local pharmacy, which can be mixed with water. They contain electrolytes, potassium, sodium, and chloride, all of which the body loses from increased urine output. Sports drinks such as Gatorade can also help with this.

When is Alcohol Dehydration an Emergency?

Alcohol-induced dehydration can easily turn from uncomfortable to an emergency. Here are some signs to watch out for when you (or someone you know) might need to seek medical attention:

If someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention.

Alcohol Dehydration: Common Questions & Answers