I know people will argue with me, but it really depends on what I drank, and not just how much. Even within the same type of alcohol, different brands or varieties give me very different results. For instance, Tullamore Dew (although it is delicious) gives me very nasty hangovers, far more than other Irish whiskeys.
But of course, there are other factors that are far more important. Obviously drink water, but you also need electrolytes (and no, Gatorade does not do this). Drinking on a full stomach and drinking slowly/steadily will also reduce your hangover the next day. And it probably doesn’t need to be said, but when it stops feeling enjoyable, stop drinking. Whether it’s because the party is winding down or because the smell makes you gag, you don’t always need to have the next drink.
I absolutely can’t argue with what gives you worse hangovers. That’s between you and your body.
Gatorade absolutely does have electrolytes: sodium and potassium. The problem is that alcohol depletes many more than just those. Pedialyte isn’t much better with only the addition of chloride. If a person is a less than moderate drinker, water is likely just fine and any extra electrolytes would get pissed out anyway.
The potassium levels are very low, to the point where it doesn’t make a difference. While there are different varieties, most only have 45mg. For comparison, a banana has 400+, and a cup of apple juice has 250. The human body requires 3400 per day for men, meaning 8oz of Gatorade only provides 1.3% of what you would need in a normal day, even less if you’re deficient.
Sodium is a bit higher, from 160-310mg of the daily recommended 2300. Even if we ignore the fact that most people have more than enough sodium, particularly the type that are drinking enough for a hangover, a cup of chicken broth has 950mg. In fact, some varieties also have more potassium than Gatorade.
IOW, you’d be far better off drinking some chicken broth and eating a banana than drinking Gatorade.
I know people will argue with me, but it really depends on what I drank, and not just how much. Even within the same type of alcohol, different brands or varieties give me very different results. For instance, Tullamore Dew (although it is delicious) gives me very nasty hangovers, far more than other Irish whiskeys.
But of course, there are other factors that are far more important. Obviously drink water, but you also need electrolytes (and no, Gatorade does not do this). Drinking on a full stomach and drinking slowly/steadily will also reduce your hangover the next day. And it probably doesn’t need to be said, but when it stops feeling enjoyable, stop drinking. Whether it’s because the party is winding down or because the smell makes you gag, you don’t always need to have the next drink.
I absolutely can’t argue with what gives you worse hangovers. That’s between you and your body.
Gatorade absolutely does have electrolytes: sodium and potassium. The problem is that alcohol depletes many more than just those. Pedialyte isn’t much better with only the addition of chloride. If a person is a less than moderate drinker, water is likely just fine and any extra electrolytes would get pissed out anyway.
The potassium levels are very low, to the point where it doesn’t make a difference. While there are different varieties, most only have 45mg. For comparison, a banana has 400+, and a cup of apple juice has 250. The human body requires 3400 per day for men, meaning 8oz of Gatorade only provides 1.3% of what you would need in a normal day, even less if you’re deficient.
Sodium is a bit higher, from 160-310mg of the daily recommended 2300. Even if we ignore the fact that most people have more than enough sodium, particularly the type that are drinking enough for a hangover, a cup of chicken broth has 950mg. In fact, some varieties also have more potassium than Gatorade.
IOW, you’d be far better off drinking some chicken broth and eating a banana than drinking Gatorade.