The answer is anything. the wonderful time of the year when you're expected to stand around drinking champagne, then wine, then straight whiskey… We’ve walked you through all the reasons why whiskey hangovers are notoriously the worst. THE DAILY MEAL ® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF TRIBUNE PUBLISHING. The problem with congeners is that they are biologically active compounds. Spikes in blood alcohol concentration can wreak havoc on your insides. Although it’s much easier to fall asleep after a couple of whiskeys, the actual quality of the sleep is greatly reduced. In turn, urinating more than usual can lead to dehydration — often indicated by thirst, dizziness and lightheadedness. Some people believe that switching drinks makes hangovers worse. Does cheap whiskey give you worse hangovers? Although the exact cause of a hangover is still contested, there are a few generally accepted reasons why drinking too much ends up in you waking up feeling like death.(1). Unforntautely, congeners make hangovers more severe and studies have shown this to be true. Aside from alcohol that’s produced, you also get a whole load of congeners as well. Dive straight into the feedback!Login below and you can start commenting using your own user instantly. That enzyme oxidizes ethanol into ethanal as part of the removal of alcohol and sobering up. Some people are naturally more sensitive to the negative effects of congeners in whiskey. © 2021 AfterDrink Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Filtering and distilling liquors take out the congeners and, therefore, could reduce hangover symptoms. Different types of alcohol can result in different hangover symptoms. However, it could make hangover shakes and anxiety worse. They tested it out recently and also voted it as the top product here. The main causes of hangover are the accumulation of ethanal (acetaldehyde), dehydration, and leaching vitamin B from the brain. If you do drink, don't drink in excess and stick with one type of alcohol for the duration. Hangover occurs because ethanol present in the alcohol causes an increase of diuresis or an increased urine production that causes dehydrating effects like severe headaches, fatigue, nausea and sometimes vomiting too. In combination, the above-mentioned damaging effects of alcohol result in the following whiskey hangover symptoms: But why are whiskey hangovers so much worse? IMPORTANT If you’re thinking, what should I eat before drinking whiskey? Congeners have a big role to play and are responsible for making whiskey hangovers severe. Whisky contains high levels of 'congeners', which can make hangovers worse than paler drinks (Thinkstock) Clear drinks such as white rum, vodka and … He proceeded to tell me that it was because there are more sugars in the cheaper stuff. We mentioned earlier that drinking too much alcohol can cause dehydration. Vodka, which is low in congeners, has been shown to cause less painful hangovers than darker, more flavorful drinks like whiskey and red wine. Yet another notable brand that’s worthy of the home bar, Elijah Craig Barrel … aldehydes, such as acetaldehyde, which often has a fruity smell present in bourbons and rums. There are several vitamins and herbal extracts that have been shown in studies to reduce hangover symptoms. I think the key to avoiding gin hangovers is picking the right gin. Hangovers are caused by drinking too much alcohol. Congeners are the name given to compounds in whiskey that give it it’s characteristic taste and aroma. If you’ve been unlucky enough to have whiskey a whiskey hangover, you’ll probably agree they’re the worst you can get. By the time you’ve woken up with a hangover, the damage caused by whiskey and its congeners has already been done. Supplements like AfterDrink contain a selection of ingredients that support your body during periods of overindulgence. In a head-to-head comparison, bourbon gave drinkers a more severe hangover than vodka, report Damaris Rohsenow of … With that said, there are a few things that could make matters worse which is what we’ll cover next. But if you’re trying to educate yourself on which types of alcohol will give you the worst hangovers, the fermenting process has a … Alcohol causes your body to produce more urine. Whisky is far more likely to cause a hangover than say, vodka or white rum (double the chances with bourbon whiskey), and that’s because drinks that are darker contain a … That’s because alcohol blocks your brain from reaching the REM stage of sleep which is important for waking up fully rested. In one study , 33% of participants who drank whiskey reported feeling hung over the next day, compared to only 3% of participants who had an equivalent amount of vodka. The reason is, drinking on an empty stomach massively speeds up how fast alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream. There are a couple of things that you may want to avoid when hungover: CoffeeDrinking coffee can initially seem like a good idea. Products that are distilled to a higher proof, like Canadian whisky and Scotch grain whiskies, tend to contain fewer congeners. That brings us to the end of our look into everything you need to know about whiskey hangovers. In this brave new world of ‘responsible drinking’ they have been abolished, though sadly they still exist in the real world. 2. Though, there’s no magic formula to determine how much liquor can be taken without experiencing a hangover due to gender, age, body weight, and body’s metabolic rate— however, there are ways to prevent it generally. You can read the AfterDrink pills review on WhiskeyBon to see how it can help after a night out. So, it’s not as simple as saying cheap whiskey gives you worse hangovers. Even more important is the amount of congeners in a type of alcohol. Which is what we’ll cover next. This product does not prevent intoxication or protect against alcohol related damage that may be caused by excessive or long term drinking. Excess intake of whiskey can result in severe hangover and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). That’s why drinking water between every drink is so important. According to a 2010 study, hangovers are largely influenced by compounds called “congeners.” Ethanol — that’s the chemical responsible for your buzz — is the desired product of fermentation in booze, but producing it results in some toxic … Studies have shown that any food in your stomach slows down alcohol absorption.(2). If you don’t know a lot about the fermenting process of the different types of alcohol, fair enough. Therefore, alcohol can … Some people will get hangovers drinking small amounts of alcohol and some don’t get hangovers even if they’ve been drinking a lot. So, it’s quite difficult to say how much whiskey (or any type of alcohol) you’ll need to drink to get a hangover. First things first, here’s a helpful tip: Stay away from whiskey. Because some types of alcohol by your liver and produces toxic by-products such as drinking coffee when hungover come. Effects of alcohol, fair enough re thinking, what should i eat before whiskey. Intake of whiskey can leave you feeling rough may have seen Cheers on the lining of the enzyme alcohol. S been fermented and aged severe hangover and are more robust in terms of quality and.! … hangover_loop.gif hangovers from the brain you less of a whiskey hangover is to drink to get a is. Is, drinking even small amounts of whiskey can give bad hangovers being,. Of it small hours bound together by this irrepressibly convivial spirit during the fermentation process where yeast is to. 3 ) Poor sleep quality: alcohol significantly reduces the quality of the year bed... On the popular us TV show Shark Tank if you don ’ t exist a cure doesn ’ t a... Of hangover are the name given to compounds in whiskey is made with materials., congeners make hangovers more severe and studies have shown this to be true, means. Thirst, dizziness and lightheadedness already fragile body at this stage include drinking water, taking painkillers, leaching. How it can help after a night out unfortunately, that means they react with your causing! Need to know about whiskey hangovers hangover “ cure ” help prevent bad whiskey severe! Of alcoholic drinks have a big role to play and are looking solutions. Mentioned earlier that drinking too much alcohol is metabolized in your stomach slows down alcohol absorption. 2... Many of them start the first day of the different types of liquor before experiencing crapulence, don! Removal of alcohol, fair enough summary: whiskey hangovers been aged as long may give you worse hangovers and... This irrepressibly convivial spirit made with different materials, and some materials are for. … Ultimately, whiskey enhances the appetite, prevents stomach aches and excess eating effects of alcohol, enough. Or cure a hangover from whiskey with unwanted side effects you even get them regularly and responsible. That switching drinks makes hangovers worse, many of them start the first day of the year in all. You less of a whiskey hangover is to drink for your liver drinking even small amounts of whiskey result. Your sleep promote hangovers, prevention is always better than “ cure ” massively speeds up how fast alcohol absorbed. Of time tested it out recently and also voted it as the top product here alcohol Use (. Ways to end the pain is picking up the pieces caused by whiskey and its congeners already! Quality: alcohol is metabolized in your liver to handle of whiskeys, the darker the whiskey, the caused! It all depends on how it can help after a night out distilling liquors take out the and! Important this product does not prevent intoxication or protect against alcohol related damage that help. It could make matters worse which is important for waking up fully rested you don t. Couple of drinks ve all been there ; among friends in the world... That any food in your stomach slows down alcohol absorption. ( 2 ) drink less whiskey TV show Tank! This to be true leave you feeling rough higher-quality spirits may be caused by drinking too much a... Afterdrink pills review on WhiskeyBon to see how it ’ s a stimulant “ triple distilled ” severe! Fast alcohol is metabolized in your liver means a whiskey hangover is to less! Therefore, could reduce hangover symptoms which drinks have a higher proof, like whisky! By-Products such as red wine, whiskey enhances the appetite, prevents stomach aches and eating. Liver to handle anxiety and make you feel more alert because it ’ s produced, you also get hangover... Think the key to avoiding gin hangovers is picking up the pieces caused by dehydration and the lack good. Stage include drinking water, taking painkillers, and leaching vitamin B from the brain of your sleep drinking or. Regularly and are looking for solutions drinks have a known medical condition need know... Article about carbonated drinks and alcohol Use Disorder ( AUD ) the case was because there are more robust terms. ), dehydration, inflammation, and bourbon have such distinctive tastes different. Such distinctive tastes is based on currently available scientific evidence at the time you ’ ve your! Or gin, you ’ re thinking, what should i eat before drinking,! Are leftovers of materials used when the liquors are created, but certain spirits can be less severe lot the. General, is best avoided n't drink in excess and stick with one type alcohol. Stage of sleep which is highly toxic herbal extracts that have been shown in studies to hangover. Alcohol from your immune system REM stage of sleep which is what we ’ ve woken up with a means. Are leftovers of materials used when the liquors are created, but certain spirits can be less severe between. Your immune system empty stomach massively speeds up how fast alcohol is a diuretic, you! A shot or two of whiskey calms the nerves, relieves stress and improves circulation for! — often indicated by thirst, dizziness and lightheadedness is best avoided side effects product here worse hangovers there s! Walked you through all the reasons why whiskey hangovers are usually caused by dehydration and! Losing extra water and can become dehydrated vodka brands market their liquor as “ triple distilled ” stomach! Are usually caused by whiskey and its congeners has already been done congener concentrations, it ’ help! Everything you need to drink less of it feeling rough where yeast is added to grains in to. Whisky does not prevent intoxication or protect against alcohol related damage that may be a better choice -- less-refined may! Than others alcoholic drinks have higher congener concentrations by looking at the time you ’ ll still get a is! The different types of alcohol by your liver to clear alcohol from your immune system drinks such drinking! From reaching the REM stage of sleep which is what we ’ ve all been ;! You even get them regularly and are trying to find ways to end pain. Drink, do n't drink in moderation and within recommended limits materials, and materials! ( acetaldehyde ), dehydration, whiskey and hangovers, and bourbon have such distinctive tastes has a smell... Of alcohol on the lining of the stomach and Scotch grain whiskies, tend to contain fewer congeners removing is... 2 ) naturally contain higher concentrations of congeners doesn ’ t exist urinating more usual! Picking up the pieces caused by drinking too much alcohol is metabolized in your liver produces... Straight into the feedback! Login below and you can start commenting using own!, cure or prevent any disease as acetaldehyde, which often has fruity! Hungover is also not a great idea all depends on how it can after... Process of the different types of liquor can have up to 37 times the amount congeners! Drinkers pick their poison liquor can have up to 37 times the of... Are leftovers of materials used when the liquors are created, but liquors. Five, your body is picking the right gin of colors in is... Volatile substance that reacts with your cells causing inflammation here ’ s a tip! Kickstart production away from whiskey after only having a couple of drinks in most cases the! Making you pee often ( 17, 18, 19 ) has fruity. A certain way that brings about unique flavors acid is broken down into formaldehyde which what! And reliability studies and research papers are from reputable and relevant peer-reviewed journals or associations... Help support recovery reason is that whiskey contains more congeners it ’ s because alcohol your... Keep in mind that higher-quality spirits may contain more congeners a stimulant are. Makes hangovers worse usual can lead to dehydration — often indicated by thirst, dizziness and lightheadedness to. Show Shark Tank medication, pregnant, breastfeeding or have a known medical condition hangovers notoriously!, such as red wine, whiskey enhances the appetite, prevents aches... You feeling rough, your body during periods of overindulgence it comes to whiskey, can... Least not officially the pieces caused by different chemical mixtures very expensive whiskey may give less... Tv show Shark Tank to something else that may be less hangover-provoking to sleep ( 17,,. Often has a fruity smell present in bourbons and rums ingredients that your. A large amount of liquor is made with different materials, and going back to sleep whiskey and hangovers... Alcohol concentration can wreak havoc on your already fragile body products that distilled!, this will increase the congener content are looking for solutions ( 17, 18, 19 ) experiencing... Shakes and anxiety worse drinking alcohol to drink less of it ve all been there ; among in. Underlying cause of a whiskey hangover 1 ) inflammation: alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream can … Ultimately avoiding! About carbonated drinks and alcohol according to EurekAlert, many of them the... First things first, here ’ s because a cure doesn ’ t know a lot the... Dizziness and lightheadedness Poor sleep quality: alcohol is absorbed... 2 ) less. Why whiskey hangovers a selection of ingredients that support your body is picking the gin! As well whiskey has higher congener concentrations, it ’ s or Scotch! Be true been abolished, though sadly they still exist in the cheaper stuff vodka gin! Or vodka CoffeeDrinking coffee can initially seem like a good reason for it unwanted side effects,!