It’s the fun month of October…showcasing ghost tours, pumpkins, dressing up, and festivals… including those that embrace imbibing more than pumpkin lattés. For those who don’t partake in alcoholic libations, you may read this for knowledge purpose. There’s no judgement here, but if October fests make your liver quiver, read on for some sage advice.
The saying “beer before liquor, never sicker” refers to the idea that consuming alcoholic beverages in a particular order will reduce the risk and severity of a hangover.
A hangover describes the symptoms someone may experience the day after drinking alcohol. These symptoms may include headaches, dehydration, and nausea.
The amount of alcohol a person drinks has a more significant effect than the type of alcohol they consume. To reduce the risk or severity of a hangover, people need to drink less alcohol, regardless of the type.
Does drinking order matter? The traditional myth “beer before liquor, never sicker” has many variations. According to a 2019 study, this saying occurs in many different languages and may originate from old folk wisdom. The saying suggests drinking liquor after drinking beer can cause someone to experience more extreme hangover symptoms. However, modern research has disproven this myth.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, certain compounds in alcoholic beverages may affect the severity of hangover symptoms. Dark spirits may contain higher levels of congeners, a compound that occurs due to fermentation, which could worsen hangover symptoms. Some people may also experience headaches after drinking wine due to sulfites, a preservative.
However, hangover severity relates to the amount of alcohol a person consumes, regardless of the type of alcoholic beverage or the order of drinks. Other factors that can contribute to hangover symptoms include:
- dehydration
- acetaldehyde, a toxic alcohol byproduct d
- disrupted sleep patterns
- withdrawal from alcohol or other substances
- combining alcohol with other substances
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can lead to hangover symptoms. Alternating between alcoholic beverages and water may help maintain hydration levels.
- Avoid rounds: Rounds of drinks might make it harder to drink in moderation or to control alcohol consumption.
- Drink in moderation: Adhering to recommended alcohol consumption guidelines is essential. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025, adults of legal drinking age need to limit themselves to 2 alcoholic drinks daily for males or 1 alcoholic drink daily for females.
- Make informed drink choices: While the saying focuses on beer and liquor, the type of alcoholic beverage matters less than the overall alcohol content. Opting for drinks with lower alcohol content may reduce the risk of a hangover.
- Prioritize sleep: Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns, contributing to grogginess and fatigue the next day. Sufficient rest after drinking may reduce these effects.
Is beer better for you than liquor? In a 2017 survey, beer was reporter more likely to cause tiredness and relaxation. Neither beer nor liquor is inherently better for hangover prevention. What matters most is the total amount of alcohol a person consumes. Responsible drinking and moderation are key, regardless of the choice of beverage.
Here’s the bottom of the bottle summary:
· Despite being widely popular, the phrase “beer before liquor, never sicker” lacks scientific evidence to support the idea that drinking order influences hangovers or how quickly a person might feel drunk.
- No matter what drinking order someone chooses, people need to drink in moderation to reduce hangover severity and minimize the risk of health complications relating to excessive alcohol consumption.
- To prevent a hangover, a person needs to stay hydrated, reduce alcohol consumption, and get plenty of sleep. People who have concerns about drinking alcohol can talk with a doctor for advice.
Sources: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/does-beer-before-liquor-help? Medically reviewed by Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP — By Meara Withe on September 1, 2023
Additional sources:
Frequently asked questions. (2022): https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm
Hangovers — Causes, symptoms and prevention. (2023): https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/ facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/general-health-effects/hangovers-causes-symptoms-and-prevention
Köchling J, et al. (2019). Grape or grain but never the twain? A randomized controlled multiarm matched-triplet crossover trial of beer and wine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30753321/
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