You weren’t planning for a headache, nausea, and endless trips to the bathroom to interrupt this party. Since the alcohol content reaches your bloodstream faster, you might find yourself bringing up politics with Aunt Janet just two drinks in. Whew, that’s not how you meant to start the Thanksgiving festivities. With impaired antidiuretic hormone, you’ll notice more trips to the bathroom and less concentrated urine. Essentially, expelling much-needed fluids that your body wouldn’t normally waste.
For example, fortified wines, such as port and sherry, typically have higher alcohol percentages compared to lighter wines like white or rosé. Thus, opting for lighter wines with lower alcohol content might reduce the likelihood of dehydration. It seems simple, but water truly is the best beverage https://ecosoberhouse.com/ when it comes to fast rehydration. It’s very easy for your body to process and for your intestines to absorb. If you drink a glass of water for each glass of wine you down, you may never feel the effects of dehydration at all (and you’ll still get a slight, though pleasant, buzz).
Are there any health risks associated with drinking wine and not staying properly hydrated?
Alcohol is a diuretic because it suppresses the release of vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone. When vasopressin is suppressed, you lose fluids by peeing more, which leads to dehydration. Excessive urination from drinking alcohol causes your body to lose electrolytes, which are important minerals involved in many bodily functions, including nervous system function (4). When you lose too much water without properly replacing it, you become dehydrated.
- There are plenty of hidden sources of water in your diet, says White.
- Thirst is a clear indicator that your body needs hydration, but it’s important to note that by the time you feel thirsty, you may already be slightly dehydrated.
- When you’re drinking more than usual, it’s important to remember to consume alcohol responsibly (for both your health and safety!).
- Experts say many health claims about natural wine are anecdotal and lack sufficient evidence.
- If a person does not get enough hydration alongside their alcohol intake, the alcohol may cause dehydration.
Binge drinking is when a person consumes an excessive amount of alcohol within a short period of time. This equates to drinking five or more drinks within 2 hours for males and four or more drinks within 2 hours for females. Most guidelines recommend aiming for a total fluid intake of about 11.5 cups (2.7 L) for women and 15.5 cups (3.7 L) for men, which includes water from both foods and beverages does red wine dehydrate you (16). Still, enjoying these drinks in moderation and pairing them with other beverages in your diet, such as water, is unlikely to cause dehydration. However, research is mixed on whether these beverages increase urine output significantly. If you don’t feel better from drinking plain water, try adding an electrolyte mix to water or drinking a low-sugar sports drink that contains electrolytes.
Does alcohol cause dehydration?
However, the extent and severity of dehydration depend on several factors, including the quantity of wine consumed, the individual’s body composition, and their overall hydration status. But what if you aren’t in an extreme situation but are instead just looking to deal with a headache or get ready for another round at a party? In those cases, you should avoid wine because of its dehydrating effects. If you want to stay buzzed but don’t want to be as dehydrated, grab a bottle of beer instead. Unfortunately, alcohol reduces the natural production of vasopressin in your body. Therefore, your body becomes less adept at holding on to water over time.
Moderating your intake of the beverages listed above and drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration. Listening to your body and learning to recognize signs of dehydration can also be beneficial. Drinking too much wine on any given occasion can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can be deadly. If you are pregnant, drinking immoderately can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which can result in a lifetime of health problems for your child.
