9 drinking myths debunked

by Chris Sparling (Subscribe to Chris Sparling's posts)
Feb 4th 2008 11:49AM

Categories: Healthy Habits, Womens Health, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

With yesterday's game coming down to the wire the way it did, there were very few people who left their respective Super Bowl party early. There have been plenty of Super Bowls that turned out to be completely one-sided blow-outs; making a third quarter or early fourth quarter departure from a party perfectly okay. Not yesterday, though. That game literally came down to the last play, so leaving early was not an option. For some, this also meant that there was at least one more full quarter of boozing, and today you may be feeling the effects.

Chances are, you've heard your fair share of hangover cures over the years. In fact, you've probably heard plenty of drinking tales, too. But, the truth is that most of them are nothing more than myths. If last night's Super Bowl party is causing your head to feel like its being sacked by Michael Strahan, don't listen to people who tell you to drink a mimosa or try any other misguided method. Just the same, don't believe all those tired "liquor before beer" sayings, either.

Here is a WebMD list of popular drinking myths, many of which you've possibly already had suggested to you this morning by co-workers:

Myth #1 - A MORNING MIMOSA EASES A HANGOVER

Myth #2 - POPPING ACETAMINOPHEN BEFORE YOU GO TO BED MAKES MORNING EASIER

Myth #3 - DRINKS WITH FEWER CALORIES ARE ALWAYS A HEALTHIER CHOICE

Myth #4 - EATING BEFORE BED WILL ABSORB THE ALCOHOL AND MUTE A HANGOVER

Myth #5 - WINE IS BETTER FOR YOU THAN BEER

Myth #6 - DRINKING THROUGH A STRAW GETS YOU TRASHED FASTER

Myth #7 - IF YOU WEIGH THE SAME AS YOUR BROTHER, YOU CAN MATCH HIM DRINK FOR DRINK

Myth #8 - IF THE DRINKS ARE FREE, THE CALORIES DON'T COUNT

Myth #9 - BEER BEFORE LIQUOR, NEVER SICKER

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Comments (24)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Duuude 2-04-2008 @ 2:12PM

One thing for sure is a guaranteed cure for a hangover. Now I'm not talking about a cradling the porcelain goddess style hangover, I'm talking about one where you have a gnawing headache.

Eat very spicy food.... It might not necessarily get rid of the headache, but it will give you a whole new pain to think about. Actually this works very well. There is an authentic Szechuan (Chinese) restaurant in my area. The one time I went there with a slight hangover headache, the spicy food took it out - easily. Its got to be hot enough to make your tongue burn.

joncdodge 2-04-2008 @ 5:03PM

the best thing for a hangover/sick stomach is to either start drinking again(which is not a good idea so early in the morning) or eat heavy greasy food! Works everytime!

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JonBoy

Tara 2-04-2008 @ 2:42PM

I am a single mom and a former drunk. I still drink a little too much, not like before but definitely have my nights where I imbibe too much. I find the best cure for a hangover is a TON of water and green tea and working out the next day.

As I have a small house I
don't
have any large pieces of equipment.

I have a jump rope, a work out ball, some free weights.

I wear smartsole insoles that I read about on aol that you put in
your sneakers to increase intensity of workout. They are under $30
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I also have an exercise bike that is small and compact that I bought
at sears http://www.sears.com Sears home brand for simple exercise
bikes are fantastic...cheap and sturdy (like me!)

Hamilton 2-04-2008 @ 2:42PM

One sure way not to get a hangover...DON'T DRINK!!! If you find that you are getting hangovers or drinking to excess daily or weekly...FIND YOUR LOCAL AA MEETINGS!!! YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR ALCOHOLISM!!! It can be the best thing you ever did for yourself and those around you who have endured your sickness.

Ellie 2-04-2008 @ 5:32PM

Actually, it's "beer before liquor makes you sicker" :-P

And I've found that drinking a TON of water before going to bed helps. As in a gallon+. Works every time...makes sense too. Hangovers are caused by the dehydration that occurs when you drink alcohol. Rehydrate yourself before bed and it's all good.

DavidFromConroe 2-04-2008 @ 3:11PM

Use only sugar-free mixers. Before crashing, take many vitamin B1 tablets & several Prickly Pear Herb capsules, and of course, drink much water. Avoid aspirin until next morning & then, take only the buffered. Avoid acetominophen at all costs within days of consuming alcohol (liver toxic!).

Not hungover 2-04-2008 @ 3:17PM

I've found that the best cure for a hangover is a nice big bowl of the sticky green first thing in the morning. Wake and bake people, wake and bake!

S.Chandler 2-05-2008 @ 3:15PM

Hey Tara,

You clame that you're a "former drunk" but still drink too much.
Stop kidding youself. You're still a drunk. Do your kids a favor and join an anti drinking group.

amanda 2-04-2008 @ 3:39PM

I try and make it a habit to eat something before bed when I drink because it really does stop a hangover for me. So I don't agree with myth #4

mike n 2-04-2008 @ 4:15PM

alcohol is a poisonous chemical that the body constantly filters out. no way around this fact. why anyone would consume this is beyond me. even the animals avoid alcohol.

Duuude 2-04-2008 @ 4:17PM

Hamilton - Not everyone that drinks or gets a hangover is sick or an alcoholic. Alcoholism is a genetic disease. Sometimes people have a hangover from just a couple of drinks. It has to do with hydration, NOT over drinking.

marty 2-04-2008 @ 8:28PM

i am sick of hearing what to do from you at aa, if it works for you fine, but you don't need to share it with everyone else, keep it to yourself, marty

Tim 2-04-2008 @ 5:11PM

Drink as much water as you can before going to bed. It worked for me and my drinking buddies years ago. Now, I find that consuming less is also a good method.

Jonathan 2-04-2008 @ 5:14PM

Hangovers come from a chemical by-product of alcohol metabolism called acetaldehyde. There is no real way to avoid as it is an inevitable result of consuming alcohol. The only sure remedy for a hangover is not to drink a lot. The more alcohol the more acetaldehyde is formed simple huh...

Al 2-04-2008 @ 6:44PM

Myth #9 is somewhat true and is based on the way our bodies handle carbonation. Didn't your mom ever give you a 7up or club soda to help a belly ache? It's not because of the sugar, but the bubbles that make your belly feel better, but also make you feel full. So beer before liquor never been sicker. Liquor before beer and you're in the clear. Providing of course you don't just get wasted. And btw, to prevent a hangover, drink a proportional amount of water, electrolytes, glucose before you go to bed, unless of course you are getting utterly wasted and then there is no cure. Personally I like water and O.J.

aprilsangel476 2-04-2008 @ 6:12PM

The best cure for a hangover is not to get one in the first place.....

dave 2-04-2008 @ 6:17PM

When I am hungover I like to have a cocktail! Ive tried many methods but nothing seems to cure the symptoms quite as well as a little alcohol in the morning. I once read somewhere that the new alcohol will actually absorb the old alcohol, hence making you feel much better!

My favorite hangover curing cocktail is a Long Island Iced Tea. Here is a link for the recipe.

http://www.howtodothings.com/food-drink/how-to-make-a-long-island-iced-tea

Josh 2-04-2008 @ 6:37PM

The best way to take care of a hangover is to take two Alkaseltzer Morning Relief tablets in a small glass of water. It works very well everytime and gets rid of the body aches too!!

Bird 2-04-2008 @ 7:06PM

youtube.com/user/birdyoumans

rick popz 2-04-2008 @ 7:09PM

if you keep jaegermeiser in the refrigerator and get it nice and cold. The morning of a hangover you take a shot of the jaegermeiser or two and it will clear your head and if you smoke it will clear your throat. Tkis will also work with any bitters.

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