Should You Drink Water When Drinking Red Wine?

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes your body to lose more water through urination. This effect is why knowing the best practices for consuming fluids is so important, raising the question: should you drink water when drinking red wine? The answer is a resounding yes, and understanding why can significantly improve your experience and well-being.

Quick Summary

Alternating a glass of water with each glass of red wine helps prevent dehydration, mitigates potential hangover symptoms, and can even enhance the sensory experience. Proper hydration supports the liver's function in metabolizing alcohol and helps maintain the body's natural fluid balance for better overall health.

Key Points

Prevent Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic that increases urination and fluid loss, so drinking water helps counteract this effect and maintain hydration.
Mitigate Hangovers: Staying hydrated is one of the most effective ways to prevent or reduce the severity of next-day hangover symptoms like headaches and fatigue.
Enhance Flavor: Sipping water between glasses can cleanse your palate, allowing you to better appreciate the complex aromas and flavors of your red wine.
Slow Your Pace: Alternating between wine and water helps you consume alcohol at a more moderate and controlled pace, promoting responsible drinking.
Support Metabolism: The liver requires adequate hydration to efficiently metabolize alcohol; dehydration can impair this process.
Maintain Overall Well-being: Proper hydration supports the body's natural functions and helps maintain electrolyte balance, which can be disrupted by alcohol consumption.

The Science Behind Hydration and Alcohol

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it increases the rate of urination and causes the body to lose fluids more quickly. This occurs because alcohol suppresses the release of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is responsible for water reabsorption in the kidneys. When ADH production is inhibited, the kidneys excrete more water, leading to potential dehydration. This is true for all alcoholic beverages, including red wine.

Dehydration can lead to several unpleasant side effects, including headaches, fatigue, and a dry mouth, which are all hallmarks of a hangover. Drinking water can help counteract this effect by replenishing lost fluids and maintaining proper hydration levels throughout your wine consumption.

How Hydration Affects Your Wine Experience

Beyond just preventing a hangover, staying hydrated can actually enhance your red wine experience. Dehydration can dull your senses, making it harder to appreciate the subtle aromas and complex flavors of a fine wine. By keeping a glass of water handy and sipping it between glasses of wine, you can keep your palate fresh and your senses sharp. Some wine experts even suggest that alternating sips of water with robust, full-bodied reds can cleanse the palate, allowing for a better appreciation of the wine's intense flavors and tannins.

Practical Tips for Staying Hydrated

Incorporating water into your red wine routine doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few simple strategies to help you stay hydrated while enjoying your favorite vintage:

Alternate glasses: A widely recommended technique is to follow a "one-for-one" rule: drink a full glass of water for every glass of wine you consume. This helps slow down your overall alcohol intake while actively rehydrating your body.
Hydrate before and after: Before you start drinking, make sure you've already had plenty of water. Likewise, drinking a glass or two of water before bed can help alleviate dehydration symptoms the next morning.
Eat with your wine: Having a meal or snacks with your red wine can slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. The extra fluid from food also contributes to your overall hydration.
Consider a red wine spritzer: For a lighter, more hydrating option, try a red wine spritzer by mixing your red wine with a splash of sparkling or still water. This reduces the alcohol content and adds more hydrating fluid to your drink.

The Role of Electrolytes

While water is crucial, it's also worth considering electrolytes, which are essential minerals lost through increased urination. Electrolyte imbalances can exacerbate hangover symptoms. While research is mixed on the direct impact of rehydration drinks on hangovers, including them as part of your recovery strategy can't hurt. Rehydrating with electrolyte solutions or consuming foods with high water content like fruits and vegetables can help replenish lost minerals and support overall fluid balance.

Water, Wine, and Health: A Comparative Look


Aspect	Drinking Red Wine Only	Alternating Red Wine with Water
Dehydration Risk	High. Alcohol's diuretic effect leads to increased fluid loss, concentrating alcohol in the bloodstream.	Low. Water intake replenishes lost fluids and counteracts the diuretic effect.
Hangover Severity	Increased likelihood of headaches, fatigue, and other hangover symptoms due to dehydration and inflammation.	Significantly reduced risk of hangovers as hydration mitigates many primary symptoms.
Palate Cleansing	Flavors can become dulled as taste buds are exposed to concentrated tannins and alcohol.	Palate is cleansed between sips, allowing for a fresher, more accurate appreciation of the wine's flavor profile.
Alcohol Absorption	Faster absorption on an empty stomach or without other fluids, leading to a quicker increase in blood alcohol concentration (BAC).	Slower, more controlled absorption due to dilution with water and food, which also lowers BAC.
Overall Enjoyment	Can be rushed or overwhelming; risk of over-consumption is higher.	More mindful and leisurely consumption; leads to a more controlled and enjoyable evening.

Conclusion: Savor the Experience, Stay Hydrated

Ultimately, the answer to "should you drink water when drinking red wine?" is a definitive yes. Incorporating water into your wine-drinking ritual is not about compromising the experience but about enhancing it. By staying hydrated, you actively work against the dehydrating effects of alcohol, which in turn helps prevent hangovers, maintains a fresh palate for better flavor enjoyment, and encourages a more mindful pace of consumption. This simple practice promotes both well-being and a more sophisticated appreciation of your wine. Whether you're enjoying a full-bodied Cabernet or a lighter Pinot Noir, keeping a glass of water on hand is a smart and healthy choice.

Enhance Your Wine Knowledge

For more information on the effects of alcohol on the body and responsible drinking practices, refer to the resources from reputable health organizations. For example, the Mayo Clinic provides excellent, concise information on the topic. By combining these practices with a good understanding of what your body needs, you can ensure that your next glass of red wine is as enjoyable as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is highly recommended. Red wine, like all alcohol, is a diuretic and causes your body to lose fluids. Drinking water is necessary to stay hydrated, prevent hangovers, and fully appreciate the wine's flavor.

A good rule of thumb is to alternate between one glass of water and one glass of wine. Some recommendations suggest 8 to 12 ounces of water for every standard alcoholic drink.

Yes, adding water directly to a glass of red wine will significantly change its flavor profile and structure. It is generally advised to drink a glass of water on the side instead of mixing it directly with the wine, though some historic traditions involved diluting wine.

No, drinking water will not prevent you from getting drunk. It can, however, slow down the rate at which you consume alcohol, potentially reducing your overall intake. The only way to lower your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is with time.

Both are acceptable and depend on your preference. Some wine experts suggest that sparkling water can pair well with full-bodied, high-tannin reds, as the effervescence and minerals can complement the wine's characteristics.

While water and other hydrating drinks are crucial for alleviating dehydration, which is a major component of a hangover, they cannot fully 'cure' it. They will, however, help with symptoms and aid in recovery.

You increase your risk of dehydration and its associated symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and intensified hangover effects. Dehydration can also cause your senses to dull, diminishing your ability to enjoy the wine's full character.