“Does coconut water help with hangovers?” might be the same question for all hungover hearts. This juice has been the talk of the town for being a magic potion for alcoholics. But is that true, or is it just an urban myth? Keep scrolling down to find out the truth.
Finding a healing elixir after a big night is always necessary since hangovers are evitable. You can’t say no to alcohol forever; think about weddings, promotion parties, or anniversaries. After all the wild and fun drinking at night, the following day will be a nightmare for your body.
There are many choices to curb hangovers, but coconut water is the main star today. This article will teach you the truth about this drink’s effectiveness, the science behind hangovers, and other folk remedies.
What Your Body Go Through On A Hangover
Hangovers happen due to heavy drinking, but they can also start from a single shot for some people. Many factors contribute to hangovers, such as sleep deprivation, alcohol poisoning, dehydration, stomach irritation, etc.
Effect Of Alcohols On The Human Body
Alcohol (ethanol) is indigestible. It first enters your bloodstream and passes through the body. Following alcohol consumption, your body works to break down and metabolize it. The higher percentage of alcohol you consume, the longer it takes for your body to eliminate this toxin.
On average, a hangover happens about six to eight hours after the last drink. The symptoms may strike hardest when the concentration of alcohol in the blood drops to zero. Unpleasant as it is, hangovers tend to go away after 24 hours or more (1).
Different people have different metabolic rates based on genetics and the types of alcohol consumed. Accordingly, the after-effects are variable. It’s not a fair game since some people might get severe hangovers while others have never experienced that.
In most cases, the common symptoms are fatigue, vomiting, rapid heartbeats, and mood swings. Others include increased sensitivity to sound and shakiness. Most significantly, alcohol consumption accelerates urine output and makes you visit the restroom more frequently.
When To Seek For Medical Help
The worst scenario of heavy drinking is alcohol poisoning. Its symptoms can be unconsciousness, pale skin, trouble breathing, or low body temperature. Don’t take these signs for granted because they can be life-threatening situations.
The Lives of the unconscious hungover folk are at stake since alcohol overdose can be fatal (2). If you see anyone experiencing these symptoms, take them to professional medical care immediately.
Don’t miss this chance to learn more about how alcohol impacts the human body and why it happens!
Coconut Water – A Silver Bullet To Hangovers Or Not?
Now that you have understood the science behind hangovers. Let’s move to the main point and figure out if coconut water can help wash away all the pains and miseries after drinking.
Dehydration – The Paradox Behind Hangover
What hangovers make you suffer the most are alcohol poisoning, sleep deprivation, and dehydration. While coconut water can’t do much with the first two, it can improve your hydration state. Let’s open this pandora’s box and see what dehydration does to your hungover body.
Loss Of Water
As I mentioned before, hangovers make you dehydrated because alcohol is a diuretic (3). It promotes the body removing fluids from your blood through urination, leading to the decline of essential electrolytes. However, the excessive fluid output can make you feel sick.
Electrolytes Imbalance
Electrolytes are crucial minerals for body function, including supporting muscle function, regulating the heart rhythm, and controlling fluid levels. Passing large amounts of fluid throws these chemicals out of balance.
Lack of electrolytes is the leading cause of a series of hangover discomforts that I have mentioned above, like diarrhea, headaches, or nausea. Minerals like sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium fall into this compound category.
Noticeably, there can be a dangerous drop of potassium and magnesium following the urine output. Accordingly, abnormal heart rate and muscle cramps can happen with heavy alcohol intake. Be careful, as a dramatic loss of potassium and magnesium can be life-threatening.
Get the basic information that you need on electrolytes and electrolyte imbalances here!
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Alcohol consumption hampers the production of sugar in the body. Worse, you also have to say goodbye to an amount of glucose after passing out excessive water. Low blood glucose levels can trigger irritability, dizziness, and weariness.
Threats From Free Radicals
Surprisingly, the metabolism of alcohol provokes free radical production. Apart from damaging cells, these unstable atoms are the root of many diseases and aging-related issues.
To disarm these free radicals, your body must have enough antioxidants called glutathione. However, this fighter can be a rarity after a few drinking sessions.
What Can Coconut Water Do With Dehydration In Hangovers?
One of the keys to curing a hangover is fluid replenishment because a great deal of morning-after blues comes from dehydration. The extreme fluid loss brings along with it numerous essential nutrients. And this is where the benefits of coconut water shine.
Quick Absorption
Like sports drinks, this tropical juice is similar to an isotonic drink, so it’s easier to absorb than non-isotonic (4). A quick breakdown: isotonic beverages can be a temporary solution to restore lost fluids. In addition, they also fuel your body with a boost of carbohydrates.
In-Time Addition Of Minerals
Coconut water is a rich source of electrolytes and natural sugar. Since alcohol consumption depletes the body of its natural minerals, this elixir will replete the loss of nutrients in your body quickly, thereby lowering the effect of the hangover to some extent.
Most notably, the presence of potassium and calcium in coconut water will calm your heartbeat. Meanwhile, its magnesium content also aids your immune function.
Interestingly, since this juice and blood plasma have the same PH level, there was a time that coconut water acted as a blood plasma alternative. Rumors said that doctors in WWII used this tropical drink to treat wounded soldiers when they ran out of saline at that time.
Rehydrating and Refreshing
As for hydration, coconut water aces this aspect. 94% of this juice is water, so it’s a worthwhile addition to help rehydrate. Besides, it’s calorie-low, fat-free, and zero in cholesterol, so this drink can boost your energy level without stretching your belly into several inches.
Moreover, coconut water’s natural sweetness offers a better experience for your palate than plain water. At the same time, it is not as sugary as other sports beverages. Therefore, it shows excellent blood glucose response and can lower the risks of low blood sugar.
Antioxidant Compensation
Antioxidants may run low due to overly alcoholic intake, exposing your body to the threats of free radical formation. This will lead to oxidative stress, a dangerous starting point in severe health conditions like diabetes or cancer.
That is when coconut water comes in handy with its C-vitamin properties, which is about 24 mg of vitamins C per one-cup serving (245g). These antioxidants can neutralize the effect of free radicals and help repair the damage caused by the hangover.
Is Coconut Water The Hangover Cure You Need?
As you already know, coconut water ticked all the right boxes. It’s high in hydrating properties, electrolytes-dense, and obviously easier to absorb than most drinks. But can it be an ultimate remedy for hangovers? The answer here is: maybe.
People often rely on this drink as a safe solution to dehydration. In moderation, it poses no danger, whether you have a hangover or not. Plus, there’s no doubt that coconut water is a healthier option than other sugary beverages to replenish your body’s electrolytes.
Yet, the uncertainties about this cure are reasonable since there is no public scientific confirmation that coconut water is adequate for every hangover. No one metabolizes alcohol the same way, and there hasn’t been a healing elixir that works for all.
All in all, coconut water is only a magic potion for your hydration status, while dehydration is one of many ways your body reacts to alcohol consumption. Therefore, this hack remains a folk remedy.
Drinking Strategies Of Coconut Water To Avoid Hangovers
Claims of coconut water being an effective remedy for all hangovers have no scientific evidence to back them up. Yet, there is no denying that this elixir works well in many cases. No matter what, coconut water is still worth a try to keep your hangover at bay.
Sneak great shots of this juice before, during, or after drinking. It’s going to keep you hydrated during the fun. Interestingly, a good hack to lessen the miserable after-effects is to start with a glass of young coconut juice before taking any alcoholic sip.
You might forget to take this preventive measure before drinking and get the most brutal attacks the next morning. In such cases, start your new day with a big glass of coconut water to recover from fluid loss.
Frankly, there is no magic cure to prevent hangovers completely, and coconut water is no different. Your body needs at least 24 hours to get rid of this miserable sensation, and all the so-called remedies are only helpful in easing the symptoms.
Coconut Water Vs. Gatorade – A Battle Of Two Hangover Cures
As stated earlier, dehydration is one of the natural responses since your body has overworked to metabolize the alcohol. Along with the fluid loss is the drop of certain minerals called electrolytes.
That’s why coconut water is an ideal solution since it’s a treasure of these minerals. However, this juice is not the only magic potion for alcoholics. I’m talking about another formidable rival of coconut water, Gatorade, since this sports drink has the same amount of electrolytes.
Nevertheless, coconut water is a winner in this battle since it’s undoubtedly a healthier option than the artificial sugary drink. The juice contains fewer harmful compounds (sodium, calories, and sugar) and more nutritional minerals (potassium and magnesium).
By and large, coconut water should always come first when you need a cure after drinking. Earlier information has proven that drinking it can ease your mouth’s dryness and relieve headaches along with nausea. But Gatorade can be an alternative in an emergency.
Gatorade is also a popular solution for the rehydration of many athletes.
Let’s Talk About The Best Ways To Cure Hangovers
The best hangover option has long been a subject of debate as people have a variety of ways to metabolize alcohol. But who knows, maybe these home remedies can alleviate the symptoms and aid your recovery.
Buy More Time With Hair Of The Dog
“Hair of the dog” is an alcoholic drink, a shortened expression of an old saying, “a hair of a dog that bit you.” In this case, people believe that drinking more helps shun away a hangover. At best, this method works to some degree since it may delay your hangover.
From a scientific standpoint, the worst symptoms will strike when the blood-alcohol levels go back to zero. As long as you keep drinking, it may buy you some time, but once you stop, it will hit you hard. At worst, this method will worsen your suffering later on.
Get Your Way Out Of Hangovers By Tea
Asian ginseng tea, green tea, and honey chrysanthemum tea are excellent to ease your pains from heavy drinking. Their antioxidants can help flush the toxins out of your body. Have a few sips of fresh tea in the morning, and you will feel much better after a long drinking night.
Thanks to its C-vitamin properties, lemon is an excellent complement to tea, not only in taste but also in nutritional aspects. A few drops of lemon juice will make your tea taste better and boost your spirits through mood swings.
Water Is A Forever-Safety Option
As a rule of thumb, the good old H2O is always a safe choice to compensate for your fluid shortage. When the hangover gets worse, folks might experience sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. These severe symptoms will make your body lose fluids faster.
Drink as much water as you can because this liquid won’t be a burden for your wallet. Better yet, water is safe from harmful chemicals, so there will be no side effects.
Get Carbohydrate-Rich Foods
Alcohol consumption will lower your blood sugar as it disrupts the release of glucose into the blood from the liver. At the very least, high-carbohydrate foods, like toast or juice (except for orange juice), give your hungover body a quick energy boost and mitigate other after-effects.
Dark-Colored Liquor Is Your Enemy
Science has proved that clear spirits are the least toxic liquors. Meanwhile, the dark ones are exceptionally high in congeners. These compounds give your metabolism a harder time dealing with alcohol. Therefore, opt for clear rum and vodka if you want a lighter after-effect.
Don’t Forget B Vitamins And Zinc
Providing your body with a daily dose of minerals benefits your health. Enough vitamin and zinc content supports your immune system and helps your body fight against a hangover.
Remember to have B12 vitamin supplements before and after alcohol consumption. Doing so gives you a good supply of nutrients to recover faster from a hangover.
Pain Relievers Can Also Be A Cure
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen will help you greatly after a night of heavy drinking. These painkillers can be a savior with hangover symptoms such as headaches or achy feelings.
Snap This Delicious Coconut Water Drink For Alcoholics
As I already said, coconut water could be a hack for some alcoholics, but there is no high-quality evidence of it. However, researchers have discovered a coconut-based drink that can be a silver bullet for most hangover cases. Let’s check it out!
Ingredients
While the ultimate home hangover remedies are still in doubt due to a lack of scientific backups, a mixed smoothie has got a thumbs up from experts as an effective cure. Coconut water joins forces with several ingredients to make the magic work. Below are the elements that you need:
- Coconut Water
- Pear
- Lime
- Cheese (served along)
- Tomato (served along)
- Cucumber (served along)
You may wonder what cheese, tomato, and cucumber are doing here. According to scientists, the items above are the most effective ingredients for speeding up the metabolism of alcohol.
However, mixing all of them in a drink would be less palatable. Therefore, experts have come up with an unexpected combination. Scroll down and figure out what it is.
Step-By-Step Instruction
After a long drinking night, this coconut-based drink will help you recover the next day. The effectiveness of this drink in breaking ethanol down is up to 70% in the laboratory. Still, you need to combine with several foods for maximum morning-after recovery.
Step 1: Mix Things Up
Pour coconut water, pear, and lime together in a food processor and blend until smooth. Modify the ingredient amounts following the ratio: 10% of coconut water + 25% of lime + 65% of pear.
Step 2: Combine With Other Foods
Transfer the mixture to a glass. Then, serve it along with a plate of cheese, cucumber, and tomato for a combo of healthy breakfast.
Benefits Of Coconut Water That You Should Know
Coconut water is naturally loaded with electrolytes and vitamins. These ingredients make this juice a perfect drink before bedtime. More specifically, its vitamin B will lower stress, while the potassium and magnesium content help relax muscles (5).
If that is not appealing enough, this drink can regulate your blood level, help your body stay hydrated, and aid in kidney issues. It does have calories, especially commercialized coconut water. But weighing the pros and cons, this juice is still healthier than sports drinks.
Just be mindful about your intake since processed juice contains a lot of sugar. Opt for pure coconut juice if possible. Nothing is good about going excessively, so one to two cups of coconut water daily is enough to keep the fun going.
Coconut water is good for your body, but how many of its benefits do you know? Find out here!
FAQs
Now you have got the full grasp of coconut water, a long-known folk remedy for hangovers. Since most people will get drunk and experience the after-effect at some point in life, it’s better to understand more the cause of this splitting headache.
Be Patient With Your Hangovers!
Home remedies for hangovers abound, but the evidence supporting them is mostly hypothetical. However, there is no denying that coconut water can help many overcome the discomfort after heavy drinking sessions. Or at least, it’s effective with your body’s hydration status.
A hangover is a nuisance, but you will get over it within a day or so. While there is no absolute hangover cure, the best thing to do is wait and let your body heal. Still, the most important thing is not to let over-drinking become a bad habit because it can mess up your life.
I hope this article can make your after-party morning less miserable. If you know more tips to get through a hangover, feel free to share knowledge with other folks in the comment section below. And please spread my post on social media because many alcohol lovers might need it.
References
- Hangovers National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Alcohol and Drug Safety Southwestern University.
- Diuretic Cigna.
- Carbohydrate-electrolyte characteristics of coconut water from … (2015). International Journal on Advanced Science Engineering and Information Technology.
- Raman, R. (2018) What does magnesium do for your body?
