Is it good to drink water while hungover?

November 24, 2025 •

3 min read

Dehydration is a primary factor in the onset of hangover symptoms after consuming alcohol. This means answering the question 'is it good to drink water while hungover?' with a resounding 'yes'—but understanding the bigger picture is key to feeling better.

Quick Summary

Alcohol is a diuretic, causing dehydration that worsens hangover symptoms. Rehydrating with water can alleviate thirst and dry mouth, but it won't cure all pain or nausea. Combining water with electrolytes, rest, and nutritious food is the most effective approach for recovery.

Key Points

Start Hydrating Early: The best way to combat a hangover is to drink plenty of water before you go to sleep.
Water Isn't a Cure-All: While vital for rehydration, water alone won't fix all symptoms, which are also caused by inflammation and oxidative stress.
Replenish Electrolytes: Enhance your recovery by adding electrolytes with sports drinks, coconut water, or broths to replace lost minerals.
Eat Something Bland: Foods like toast or crackers can help stabilize low blood sugar and settle your stomach.
Avoid 'Hair of the Dog': Drinking more alcohol will only prolong your symptoms and delay true recovery.
Give It Time: The only guaranteed cure for a hangover is time. Proper hydration and rest can help speed up the process.
Listen to Your Body: If nausea makes drinking difficult, sip fluids slowly. Your body knows what it needs.

The Dehydration Effect: What Alcohol Does to Your Body

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more frequently. This happens because alcohol suppresses the release of vasopressin, a hormone that signals your kidneys to conserve water. The result is a cycle of fluid loss that leads to dehydration. As your body loses water, it also loses vital electrolytes—minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium that are essential for proper nerve and muscle function.

Dehydration is a major culprit behind many classic hangover symptoms:

Headaches: Fluid loss can cause blood vessels in the brain to constrict, triggering pain.
Fatigue: When your body is deprived of water and nutrients, energy levels plummet.
Dry mouth: The reduction in saliva production adds to the discomfort of dehydration.

Beyond dehydration, hangovers are a complex biological event involving oxidative stress and inflammation. This explains why simply drinking water, while helpful, doesn't instantly erase all your misery. Nevertheless, addressing dehydration is a crucial first step in your recovery process.

Water vs. Electrolytes: Why Variety Matters

While plain water is an excellent starting point for rehydration, it's not the complete solution. Alcohol strips your body of electrolytes, and water alone can't replenish them. This is where other fluids come into play. A comprehensive rehydration strategy should include both plain water and electrolyte-rich beverages.

Comparison Table: Hydration Methods for a Hangover


Method	Fluid Replenishment	Electrolyte Replenishment	Best For	Considerations
Plain Water	High	Low	Mild dehydration, maintaining basic fluid levels	Lacks lost minerals; may not be enough for severe cases.
Electrolyte Drink (e.g., sports drink, coconut water)	High	High	Replenishing lost minerals from vomiting or heavy sweating.	Can contain high sugar; choose low-sugar options.
Oral Rehydration Solution (e.g., Pedialyte)	High	High	Restoring fluid and electrolytes rapidly in severe cases.	Specifically formulated for optimal absorption.
Broth/Soup	High	High	Replenishing lost salt and potassium while soothing the stomach.	Offers additional nutrients and is easy to digest.

Practical Steps to Hydrate and Recover

Hydrate before bed: The single most effective tip is to drink a large glass or two of water before you go to sleep. This helps combat dehydration before it gets worse.
Sip slowly in the morning: Waking up hungover can bring nausea, but sipping fluids slowly is vital. A few sips can help ease your symptoms without upsetting your stomach.
Alternate your drinks: A preventative measure is to alternate alcoholic drinks with water throughout the night. This slows down your alcohol consumption and keeps you more hydrated.
Re-stock your vitamins and minerals: Electrolyte boosters are excellent, but you can also get key minerals from certain foods. Bananas are a great source of potassium, for instance.
Don't forget food: Eating bland, easy-to-digest foods like toast or crackers can help stabilize low blood sugar levels, which can contribute to fatigue and headaches.
Avoid further irritation: Stay away from caffeine in large quantities, as it is also a diuretic and can worsen dehydration. Likewise, avoid the 'hair of the dog' remedy, which only prolongs your recovery.
Give yourself time: While drinking water is immensely helpful, only time can fully heal a hangover. Rest is crucial for your body to process the alcohol byproducts and repair itself.

Conclusion: A Multi-Pronged Approach is Best

So, is it good to drink water while hungover? Absolutely. Water is a non-negotiable tool for recovery, tackling the dehydration that exacerbates many symptoms. However, it's not a magical cure-all. A holistic approach that combines water with electrolyte-rich drinks, easily digestible foods, and plenty of rest is the most effective strategy. Remember that alcohol affects everyone differently, and there is no substitute for moderation and responsible drinking to prevent a hangover in the first place. Prioritizing hydration is your body's best defense against the post-drinking misery, but supporting it with other remedies will get you back to feeling like yourself much faster.

Authority Reference

For more information on the science behind hangovers and proven recovery methods, a good resource is the Mayo Clinic's dedicated page on the subject: Hangovers - Mayo Clinic.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, alternating alcoholic drinks with a glass of water throughout the night can help by slowing alcohol absorption and preventing severe dehydration. While it won't prevent a hangover entirely, it can significantly lessen its severity.

Drinking water will help alleviate dehydration-related symptoms like thirst and dry mouth, but it won't resolve issues caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. For a full recovery, you need to address other factors like electrolytes and low blood sugar.

Electrolyte drinks are often better than plain water for replenishing lost minerals like sodium and potassium, especially if you have been vomiting or sweating heavily. A combination of both water and electrolytes is ideal for optimal recovery.

The best time to drink water is before you go to sleep after drinking. Continue sipping water or other hydrating fluids slowly and steadily throughout the next day, especially upon waking.

Research suggests that hangovers can worsen with age. This is attributed to factors like declining liver function, lower body water content, and reduced muscle mass, which can lead to a higher concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream.

While caffeine can help with grogginess, it is also a diuretic that can worsen dehydration. Small amounts are generally okay if you are a regular coffee drinker, but it's best to prioritize water and electrolyte-rich fluids.

Pairing your water with bland, easy-to-digest carbohydrates like toast, crackers, or oatmeal can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and settle your stomach. Soups and broths can also help replace lost salt.