No, Drinking Water Will Not Prevent Or Cure Your Hangover, Says Study

Drinking water after consuming a lot of alcohol will not help people’s hangover the following day.

A new research showed that the only way to prevent a hangover is not to overdrink.

BBC.com reported that a study involving more than 800 students were asked about their methods in trying to treat the symptoms of hangover.

Food and water were not shown to have relieved the condition.

The findings were presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference.

A group of international researchers from the Netherlands and Canada observed the drinking habits of students to determine whether the symptoms of hangover can be alleviated or if certain individuals were immune to a hangover.

826 Dutch students were monitored and it was shown that 54% ate food after heavy drinking, including heavy breakfasts and fatty food, to hopefully avoid the physical effects of a hangover.

Past research hinted that about one-fourth of drinkers claimed never experienced a hangover.

789 Canadian students were then questioned regarding their drinking habits and hangover experiences. The researchers found that those who reported not having a hangover actually did not consume enough alcohol to develop the symptoms in the first place.

Among students who consumed alcohol in large amounts and having a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.2%, no one was found to be immune to a hangover, Newsweek wrote.

“The more you drink, the more likely you are to get a hangover. Drinking water may help against thirst and a dry mouth, but it will not take away the misery, the headache and the nausea,” said lead author Dr. JorisVerster of Ultrecht University.

Dr. Verster added that part of the issue was scientists not knowing what actually causes a hangover.

He said that research previously concluded that the cause is not mere dehydration.

The immune system is involved for a fact, but they have to know the true cause to develop an effective cure.

"It's therefore very important to answer simple questions like, 'How do you avoid a hangover?'Whilst further research is needed, this new research tells us that the answer is simple - drink less,” said Dr. Michael Bloomfield of University College, London.

He said that the economic costs of alcohol abuse reached hundreds of billions of euros every year.

Overall, people should limit their alcohol consumption to prevent the negative symptoms that can come the day after.

Water will help keep drinkers dehydrated but will do little to take away hours of pain.