It’s a hangover cure that’s been around as long as alcohol. But now experts say drinking water won’t help.
The NHS continues to recommend water to counteract the effects of too much drink, but research now shows it does little or nothing to mitigate the effects of too much booze.
Scientists from Utrecht University combined data from three different studies and discovered that it makes no difference to how you feel the next day.
The studies, which involved hundreds of partying students, found that those who drank water before bed suffered from hangover symptoms and those who didn’t.
The results, published in the journal Alcohol, showed that while the students who drank the water felt less dehydrated, they still experienced the same levels of nausea, exhaustion and pain as the students who skipped the water.
People who drink water in the hope of alleviating their hangovers experience the same levels of nausea and pain as people who don’t drink water, scientists say (Stock Image)
The NHS continues to recommend water to combat the effects of too much drink (Stock Image)
Scientists from Utrecht University (pictured) who pooled data from three different studies found that it makes no difference to how you feel the next day
The researchers concluded: ‘Drinking water during or immediately after drinking is not effective in preventing a hangover.
“And the amount of water consumed on the hangover day was not significantly associated with changes in hangover severity.”
Hangovers are having a major impact on the British workforce.
Data from the Institute of Alcohol Studies shows that as many as 89,000 people in the UK turn up to work every day with a hangover or still under the influence of alcohol.
It is estimated that sick leave due to hangovers costs the UK economy £1.4 billion every year.
