For many people, enjoying a few alcoholic beverages can come at a cost — including nausea, headaches and more symptoms of morning-after hangovers.
On TikTok and other social media platforms, claims are making the rounds that actions such as chugging down a sports drink, using an electrolyte powdered mix or scheduling an appointment to receive an IV with electrolytes has helped people handle hangovers.
Does electrolyte supplementation really expedite the recovery of a hangover? Fox News Digital spoke with some experts to find out.
Electrolytes are positive or negative electrically charged substances that help the body maintain the optimal fluid balance inside and outside the cells, and also help to regulate chemical reactions, according to Cleveland Clinic’s website.
Electrolytes can come from foods and beverages like sports drinks, coconut water and other types of juices.
A person can lose electrolytes after a workout through sweat or when dealing with illness and vomiting, including from hangovers, health experts told Fox News Digital.
“Drinking alcohol can cause one to be dehydrated, because it has a tendency to inhibit the hormone vasopressin, which helps the kidneys reabsorb water,” Dr. Fred Davis, associate chair of emergency medicine at Northwell Health – Long Island Jewish Medical Center on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.
Social media users are claiming that electrolytes can be the cure for a morning hangover. Shutterstock
“This leads to a loss of more water when you urinate that the body would have reabsorbed through the kidneys,” he continued.
“Along with this water loss in the urine goes a number of electrolytes, specifically sodium and potassium.”
Sodium and potassium are the key electrolytes involved in the regulation of water in and out of cells, Davis said — and when they are low, symptoms like headaches, muscle aches and fatigue can result.
The supplementation of electrolytes — particularly sodium and potassium — can be helpful in warding off many of the effects of hangovers, multiple experts told Fox News Digital.
“Alcohol is a diuretic, increasing urination, which can cause disruptions in fluid and electrolyte balance,” Laura Feldman, a registered dietitian nutritionist and an assistant professor of nutrition at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital.
“Restoring this balance with electrolyte replacements is logical.”
More research is needed to determine whether taking electrolytes helps shorten a hangover’s duration, Feldman said.
“However, sports drinks and other electrolyte replacement drinks can also provide fluid and carbs, which can help address hangover symptoms,” she noted.
“For people who are experiencing nausea and vomiting, carbohydrate- and electrolyte-filled fluids may be the only thing they can tolerate.”
When it comes to receiving IV drips that contain electrolytes, Feldman said they can be a quick way to hydrate after a hangover, but cautioned that they tend to be expensive and carry a potential risk of infections.
Some recent college graduates shared with Fox News Digital their “go-to hangover cures.”
Of the five who commented, all included a sports drink or electrolyte powdered drink mix, along with an over-the-counter pain reliever, to help with their morning recovery (along with a greasy breakfast sandwich).
One nutrition expert pointed out that the effectiveness of electrolytes for treating hangovers could be partly a psychological effect.
“It might be more of a ‘placebo effect’ with the electrolyte products,” Dr. Deborah Salvatore, director of graduate nutrition programs at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital.
It may not be that electrolytes specifically treat the hangover but that they boost fluid intake to alleviate symptoms of dehydration, she said.
Beyond boosting electrolytes — and the obvious approach of drinking less alcohol — there are other ways to minimize the symptoms of a hangover, said experts.
“If you choose to drink alcohol, the best way to avoid a hangover is to make sure you are well-hydrated beforehand,” Davis told Fox News Digital.
He also suggested drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic drink — and before going to sleep — to help reduce the dehydration effects.
In Feldman’s view, the best cure for a hangover is patience.
“The symptoms will typically resolve within 24 hours,” she said.
“However, if having an electrolyte replacement drink helps someone feel better — even anecdotally — there is minimal risk, so I say go for it.”
Can electrolytes relieve hangover symptoms after drinking alcohol?
1 COMMENT
LEAVE A REPLY
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
Your blog has become my go-to source for positive and uplifting content Thank you for consistently delivering high-quality posts