Can Drinking Coffee Cure a Hangover?

We’ve all been there: waking up after a night of revelry with a pounding headache, dry mouth, and a vow to never drink again. In search of relief, many reach for a steaming cup of coffee, hoping it’ll magically erase their misery. But does coffee truly cure a hangover, or is it just a myth? Let’s dive into the science and separate fact from fiction.

Drinking Coffee


What Causes a Hangover?

Before tackling coffee’s role, it’s crucial to understand why hangovers happen. Key factors include:
  • Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, flushing fluids and electrolytes from your body.
  • Acetaldehyde Buildup: This toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism contributes to nausea and fatigue.
  • Disrupted Sleep: Alcohol interferes with REM sleep, leaving you groggy.
  • Inflammation: Alcohol triggers an immune response, worsening headaches and body aches.
  • Low Blood Sugar: Heavy drinking can drop blood sugar levels, causing weakness and shakiness.
Symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and irritability stem from these physiological disruptions.

Coffee’s Perks and Pitfalls

Coffee, rich in caffeine, is a stimulant known to boost alertness and focus. Here’s how it interacts with hangover symptoms:

Potential Benefits

  • Fights Fatigue: Caffeine can temporarily counteract grogginess, helping you feel more awake.
  • Headache Relief: By constricting blood vessels, caffeine may ease headaches (though dehydration is the root cause).

The Downsides

  • Dehydration Worsening: Coffee is also a diuretic, potentially exacerbating fluid loss.
  • Stomach Irritation: Acidic coffee may upset an already sensitive stomach.
  • Masking Symptoms: Feeling alert might lead you to underestimate your body’s need for rest.

What Does the Science Say?

Research on coffee as a hangover remedy is limited, but here’s what we know:
  • A 2010 study in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found caffeine worsened dehydration in hungover mice.
  • Caffeine doesn’t speed up alcohol metabolism. Time is the only sobering agent.
  • Combining alcohol with caffeine (e.g., energy drinks) is risky, as it masks intoxication, leading to overconsumption.
Verdict: Coffee’s temporary perks don’t address core issues like dehydration or toxin buildup.

Better Hangover Remedies

Instead of relying on coffee, try these evidence-backed strategies:
  1. Hydrate: Water or electrolyte-rich drinks (e.g., coconut water) replenish lost fluids.
  2. Eat Bland Foods: Toast or bananas settle stomachs and stabilize blood sugar.
  3. Rest: Sleep helps your body recover.
  4. Pain Relievers: Use ibuprofen sparingly (avoid acetaminophen—it strains the liver).
  5. Vitamins: B vitamins and zinc may aid alcohol metabolism.

The Final Sip

While coffee might offer a fleeting energy boost, it’s not a hangover cure. In fact, it could prolong your misery by deepening dehydration. The best remedy? Prevention—moderate drinking, alternating alcohol with water, and eating beforehand. If the damage is done, prioritize hydration, nourishment, and rest.

Next time you’re tempted to reach for that espresso, remember: a tall glass of water and a hearty breakfast are your true allies. 

Myth Buster

  • Myth: Coffee sobers you up.
  • Fact: Only your liver can process alcohol. Coffee just makes you a more alert intoxicated person.

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