Should You Drink Coffee to Help Cure Your Hangover?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy It Worsens HangoversHangover Symptom CausesCan It Sober You Up?What to Drink InsteadFoods That May Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Why It Worsens Hangovers

Hangover Symptom Causes

Can It Sober You Up?

What to Drink Instead

Foods That May Help

A night out with good company, good music, and good food can be invigorating and soul-warming. But throwing a few too many alcoholic drinks into the mix can leave you feeling ragged and regretful the next day.

If you wake up with ahangover, your first instinct might be to pour yourself a cup of coffee or reach out for the nearest, strongest caffeinated beverage around. But don’t be so quick to do so. There’s no actual scientific evidence that says coffee and other caffeinated drinks help hangovers. In fact, caffeine may actually make hangover symptoms worse.

Coffee and other caffeinated beverages can slow down your body’s rehydration. So, instead of reaching out for that cup of joe, you may wish to consider different options that are more likely toease your hangover symptoms. These might include beverages like coconut water and ginger tea.

Why Coffee Makes Hangovers Worse

Common hangover symptoms typically includeheadache, dry mouth, and upset stomach. Fatigue is also a common hangover symptom. The caffeine found in promotes alertness, which is why some people may think coffee might help a hangover.

In reality, it may actually have the opposite effect. Here are a few examples of why coffee makes hangovers worse.

Coffee Can Contribute to Dehydration

Coffee May Worsen an Upset Stomach

Nauseaand upset stomach are common hangover symptoms. Caffeine in coffee triggers your stomach to produce acid. The increased release of acid can lead toheartburnand upset stomach, adding to stomach-related symptoms you may have from a hangover.

Coffee Can Trigger Headaches

While low doses of caffeine may help relieve certain types of headaches,caffeine may also trigger a headachein some people who have migraines. If you’re already managing aheadache due to a hangover, adding a migraine could only make things worse. If you’re used to drinking caffeinated coffee regularly, missing your morning cup may trigger acaffeine-withdrawal headache.

Coffee Can Raise Your Blood Pressure

Drinking large amounts ofalcohol has a double effect on blood pressure. Your blood pressure may decrease during the first 12 hours after you consume alcohol. However, after that time, your blood pressure starts to increase.

This may coincide with when you wake up the next day and want to reach out for coffee. Caffeine can narrow blood vessels in your body, raising your blood pressure.

Understanding What Causes Hangover Symptoms

A hangover is a group of symptoms that can happen after drinking alcohol. Hangovers typically occur after heavy drinking, but some people may have a hangover after just a few drinks. Common hangover symptoms are:

After you stop consuming alcohol, your body continues to metabolize alcohol and clear it from your bloodstream. A hangover happens after your body reaches a blood alcohol level of zero, and symptoms can last for up to 24 hours.

Several factors can contribute to a hangover. For example:

Can Coffee Help Sober You Up?

No. Coffee does not help sober you up.

Caffeine in coffee can help you feel more alert but doesn’t help break down alcohol in your body. The only way tosober upis to allow your body time to break down and get rid of the alcohol in your system.

How long this will take depends on how much alcohol you’ve consumed. It generally takes about one hour for your body to break down the alcohol in one standard drink. A standard drink can be 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

Even if you feel more alert after drinking coffee, your body is still under the influence of the effects of alcohol. Whether you drink during the day or in the evening, you should avoid driving or other activities that require your full attention until your body has had enough time to eliminate the amount of alcohol you drank.

What to Drink for a Hangover

Coffee may not be your best choice for hangover self-care. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to coffee that may help relieve some hangover symptoms.

Any of the beverages mentioned above can be enjoyed on their own or mixed as a refreshing smoothie to get your day going.

In addition to drinks, certain foods help alleviate some of your hangover symptoms. Examples include:

Summary

The best hangover cure is time and rest. Although it may be tempting to turn to coffee to ease your symptoms, caffeinated beverages don’t help a hangover. They may worsen your symptoms and delay your recovery.

Alternatives like coconut water and ginger tea are more likely to help alleviate your symptoms. Eating foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, like eggs or avocados, may also help you feel better during a hangover.

17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Caffeine.Zduńska A, Cegielska J, Zduński S, Domitrz I.Caffeine for headaches: helpful or harmful? A brief review of the literature.Nutrients. 2023;15(14):3170. doi: 10.3390/nu15143170.Tasnim S, Tang C, Musini VM, Wright JM.Effect of alcohol on blood pressure.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;7(7):CD012787. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012787.pub2National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol’s effect on health.California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.Alcohol facts.Srinivasan S, Dubey KK, Singhal RS.Influence of food commodities on hangover based on alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities.Curr Res Food Sci. 2019;1:8-16. doi:10.1016/j.crfs.2019.09.001Wang F, Li Y, Zhang YJ, Zhou Y, Li S, Li HB.Natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder.Molecules. 2016;21(1):64. doi:10.3390/molecules21010064Lee MY, Kim WS, Lim Y.Effects of green tea catechins (GTC) on the treatment of hangover and prevention of liver disease.Korean J Clin Lab Sci.2014;46:131-135. doi.org/10.15324/kjcls.2014.46.4.131Lee HS, Isse T, Kawamoto T, Baik HW, Park JY, Yang M.Effect of Korean pear (Pyruspyrifolia cv. Shingo) juice on hangover severity following alcohol consumption.Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;58:101-106. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.04.007U.S. Department of Agriculture.Avocados, raw.Verster JC, Vermeulen SA, Loo AJAEV, et al.Dietary nutrient intake, alcohol metabolism, and hangover severity.J Clin Med.2019 Aug 27;8(9):1316. doi:10.3390/jcm8091316U.S Dept. of Agriculture.Bananas, raw.Margaritelis NV, Chatzinikolaou PN, Bousiou FV, et al.Dietary cysteine intake is associated with blood glutathione levels and isometric strength.Int J Sports Med. 2021;42(05):441-447. doi:10.1055/a-1255-2863Webb JL, Bries AE, Vogel B, et al.Whole egg consumption increases gene expression within the glutathione pathway in the liver of zucker diabetic fatty rats.PLoS One. 2020 Nov 3;15(11):e0240885. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0240885Kim S, Cho S, Min T, Kim Y, Yang S, Kim H, Hyun S, Kim H, Kim Y, Choi H.Ameliorating effects of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit on plasma ethanol level in a mouse model assessed with H-NMR based metabolic profiling.J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2011 May;48(3):214-21. doi:10.3164/jcbn.10-96Huang Z, Liu Y, Qi G, Brand D, Zheng SG.Role of vitamin A in the immune system.J Clin Med.2018 Sep 6;7(9):258. doi:10.3390/jcm7090258U.S. Department of Agriculture.Sweet potato, raw, unprepared.

17 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Caffeine.Zduńska A, Cegielska J, Zduński S, Domitrz I.Caffeine for headaches: helpful or harmful? A brief review of the literature.Nutrients. 2023;15(14):3170. doi: 10.3390/nu15143170.Tasnim S, Tang C, Musini VM, Wright JM.Effect of alcohol on blood pressure.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;7(7):CD012787. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012787.pub2National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol’s effect on health.California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.Alcohol facts.Srinivasan S, Dubey KK, Singhal RS.Influence of food commodities on hangover based on alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities.Curr Res Food Sci. 2019;1:8-16. doi:10.1016/j.crfs.2019.09.001Wang F, Li Y, Zhang YJ, Zhou Y, Li S, Li HB.Natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder.Molecules. 2016;21(1):64. doi:10.3390/molecules21010064Lee MY, Kim WS, Lim Y.Effects of green tea catechins (GTC) on the treatment of hangover and prevention of liver disease.Korean J Clin Lab Sci.2014;46:131-135. doi.org/10.15324/kjcls.2014.46.4.131Lee HS, Isse T, Kawamoto T, Baik HW, Park JY, Yang M.Effect of Korean pear (Pyruspyrifolia cv. Shingo) juice on hangover severity following alcohol consumption.Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;58:101-106. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.04.007U.S. Department of Agriculture.Avocados, raw.Verster JC, Vermeulen SA, Loo AJAEV, et al.Dietary nutrient intake, alcohol metabolism, and hangover severity.J Clin Med.2019 Aug 27;8(9):1316. doi:10.3390/jcm8091316U.S Dept. of Agriculture.Bananas, raw.Margaritelis NV, Chatzinikolaou PN, Bousiou FV, et al.Dietary cysteine intake is associated with blood glutathione levels and isometric strength.Int J Sports Med. 2021;42(05):441-447. doi:10.1055/a-1255-2863Webb JL, Bries AE, Vogel B, et al.Whole egg consumption increases gene expression within the glutathione pathway in the liver of zucker diabetic fatty rats.PLoS One. 2020 Nov 3;15(11):e0240885. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0240885Kim S, Cho S, Min T, Kim Y, Yang S, Kim H, Hyun S, Kim H, Kim Y, Choi H.Ameliorating effects of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit on plasma ethanol level in a mouse model assessed with H-NMR based metabolic profiling.J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2011 May;48(3):214-21. doi:10.3164/jcbn.10-96Huang Z, Liu Y, Qi G, Brand D, Zheng SG.Role of vitamin A in the immune system.J Clin Med.2018 Sep 6;7(9):258. doi:10.3390/jcm7090258U.S. Department of Agriculture.Sweet potato, raw, unprepared.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

MedlinePlus.Caffeine.Zduńska A, Cegielska J, Zduński S, Domitrz I.Caffeine for headaches: helpful or harmful? A brief review of the literature.Nutrients. 2023;15(14):3170. doi: 10.3390/nu15143170.Tasnim S, Tang C, Musini VM, Wright JM.Effect of alcohol on blood pressure.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;7(7):CD012787. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012787.pub2National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol’s effect on health.California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.Alcohol facts.Srinivasan S, Dubey KK, Singhal RS.Influence of food commodities on hangover based on alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities.Curr Res Food Sci. 2019;1:8-16. doi:10.1016/j.crfs.2019.09.001Wang F, Li Y, Zhang YJ, Zhou Y, Li S, Li HB.Natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder.Molecules. 2016;21(1):64. doi:10.3390/molecules21010064Lee MY, Kim WS, Lim Y.Effects of green tea catechins (GTC) on the treatment of hangover and prevention of liver disease.Korean J Clin Lab Sci.2014;46:131-135. doi.org/10.15324/kjcls.2014.46.4.131Lee HS, Isse T, Kawamoto T, Baik HW, Park JY, Yang M.Effect of Korean pear (Pyruspyrifolia cv. Shingo) juice on hangover severity following alcohol consumption.Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;58:101-106. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.04.007U.S. Department of Agriculture.Avocados, raw.Verster JC, Vermeulen SA, Loo AJAEV, et al.Dietary nutrient intake, alcohol metabolism, and hangover severity.J Clin Med.2019 Aug 27;8(9):1316. doi:10.3390/jcm8091316U.S Dept. of Agriculture.Bananas, raw.Margaritelis NV, Chatzinikolaou PN, Bousiou FV, et al.Dietary cysteine intake is associated with blood glutathione levels and isometric strength.Int J Sports Med. 2021;42(05):441-447. doi:10.1055/a-1255-2863Webb JL, Bries AE, Vogel B, et al.Whole egg consumption increases gene expression within the glutathione pathway in the liver of zucker diabetic fatty rats.PLoS One. 2020 Nov 3;15(11):e0240885. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0240885Kim S, Cho S, Min T, Kim Y, Yang S, Kim H, Hyun S, Kim H, Kim Y, Choi H.Ameliorating effects of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit on plasma ethanol level in a mouse model assessed with H-NMR based metabolic profiling.J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2011 May;48(3):214-21. doi:10.3164/jcbn.10-96Huang Z, Liu Y, Qi G, Brand D, Zheng SG.Role of vitamin A in the immune system.J Clin Med.2018 Sep 6;7(9):258. doi:10.3390/jcm7090258U.S. Department of Agriculture.Sweet potato, raw, unprepared.

MedlinePlus.Caffeine.

Zduńska A, Cegielska J, Zduński S, Domitrz I.Caffeine for headaches: helpful or harmful? A brief review of the literature.Nutrients. 2023;15(14):3170. doi: 10.3390/nu15143170.

Tasnim S, Tang C, Musini VM, Wright JM.Effect of alcohol on blood pressure.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;7(7):CD012787. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012787.pub2

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol’s effect on health.

California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.Alcohol facts.

Srinivasan S, Dubey KK, Singhal RS.Influence of food commodities on hangover based on alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities.Curr Res Food Sci. 2019;1:8-16. doi:10.1016/j.crfs.2019.09.001

Wang F, Li Y, Zhang YJ, Zhou Y, Li S, Li HB.Natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder.Molecules. 2016;21(1):64. doi:10.3390/molecules21010064

Lee MY, Kim WS, Lim Y.Effects of green tea catechins (GTC) on the treatment of hangover and prevention of liver disease.Korean J Clin Lab Sci.2014;46:131-135. doi.org/10.15324/kjcls.2014.46.4.131

Lee HS, Isse T, Kawamoto T, Baik HW, Park JY, Yang M.Effect of Korean pear (Pyruspyrifolia cv. Shingo) juice on hangover severity following alcohol consumption.Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;58:101-106. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.04.007

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Avocados, raw.

Verster JC, Vermeulen SA, Loo AJAEV, et al.Dietary nutrient intake, alcohol metabolism, and hangover severity.J Clin Med.2019 Aug 27;8(9):1316. doi:10.3390/jcm8091316

U.S Dept. of Agriculture.Bananas, raw.

Margaritelis NV, Chatzinikolaou PN, Bousiou FV, et al.Dietary cysteine intake is associated with blood glutathione levels and isometric strength.Int J Sports Med. 2021;42(05):441-447. doi:10.1055/a-1255-2863

Webb JL, Bries AE, Vogel B, et al.Whole egg consumption increases gene expression within the glutathione pathway in the liver of zucker diabetic fatty rats.PLoS One. 2020 Nov 3;15(11):e0240885. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0240885

Kim S, Cho S, Min T, Kim Y, Yang S, Kim H, Hyun S, Kim H, Kim Y, Choi H.Ameliorating effects of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit on plasma ethanol level in a mouse model assessed with H-NMR based metabolic profiling.J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2011 May;48(3):214-21. doi:10.3164/jcbn.10-96

Huang Z, Liu Y, Qi G, Brand D, Zheng SG.Role of vitamin A in the immune system.J Clin Med.2018 Sep 6;7(9):258. doi:10.3390/jcm7090258

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Sweet potato, raw, unprepared.

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