Alcohol is a diuretic — it increases the production of urine. These effects occur because alcohol suppresses the production of a hormone known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which normally helps our body retain water. Because alcohol-induced diuresis is often out of proportion with the amount of fluid ingested, dehydration can occur. Interestingly, there is very little evidence that electrolyte imbalances contribute to or are associated with hangovers.[1][2]
The lack of a direct causal role of dehydration in hangover is evidenced by the fact that hydration is insufficient to completely resolve hangover symptoms. It should be noted that few studies have investigated the effects of hydration and/or electrolyte supplementation on hangover symptoms. That being said, alcohol-induced dehydration, although distinct from a hangover, does frequently co-occur with a hangover and is very important to treat.[3]
References
- ^Wiese JG, Shlipak MG, Browner WSThe alcohol hangover.Ann Intern Med.(2000-Jun-06)
- ^Ylikahri RH, Pösö AR, Huttunen MO, Hillbom MEAlcohol intoxication and hangover: effects on plasma electrolyte concentrations and acid-base balance.Scand J Clin Lab Invest.(1974-Dec)
- ^Penning R, van Nuland M, Fliervoet LA, Olivier B, Verster JCThe pathology of alcohol hangoverCurr Drug Abuse Rev.(2010 Jun)