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You’ve probably heard of some alcoholic drinks that give no hangover. Some people say it’s tequila and others say it’s gin.
But is there any truth to it?
If you like to have a good time out with your friends and loved ones in your local joint, then you are probably familiar with the terrible hangovers that often follow us the morning after.
You’ve probably tried eating certain kinds of foods that are said to ward off the hangovers. Many people also advocate water, which, although advisable and very helpful, does not always guarantee a hangover-free morning for you.
So, how do you escape a hangover?
Well, the answer may lie in the alcohol you choose to drink. In this article, we are going to look at whether it’s true that some drinks give no hangover.
What are Congeners?
During the process of alcohol fermentation, there are impurities produced called congeners. These impurities are responsible for some of the taste, aroma, and color of the drink.
Congeners are known to play an important role in the severity of your hangover. (1)
The most common congeners include:
– Tannins
– Methanol
– Sulfites
– Esters and Aldehydes
– Histamine
Darker colored alcohol naturally has more of these congeners which is why drinks such as whiskey and red wine have such a rich taste.
But why do congeners make hangovers worse?
To give an example, tannins and histamine in red wine stimulate the release of serotonin as well as dilate blood vessels which contribute to hangover headaches.(2)
Furthermore, methanol which is particularly a problem in cheaper alcoholic bevarages is broken down by your body to formaldehyde which is highly toxic.
Ultimately, the darker colored drinks such as whiskey, brandy, bourbon, and red wine will have a higher congener concentration as opposed to the lighter ones such as vodka, gin, and white wine.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a drink that will give no hangover, you know which ones to avoid.
The Best Alcohol for no Hangover?
So far, we have seen that the lighter the drink then, the less severe your hangover will be. Therefore, the next time you are deciding the best drinks to choose, you should consider the following list.
1. Vodka
Many vodkas usually go through a rigorous distillation process which helps ensure that the final product is as pure possible. Though vodka tends to be very strong, at 40 percent in alcohol content, it is surprisingly the least likely culprit for you to get a hangover. This is because the process of distillation has practically eliminated many of those congeners that cause hangover symptoms.
2. Gin
Much like vodka, gin is also a clear alcoholic beverage and boast of the same purity as that in Vodkas, although it could cause quite a bit of dehydration because of the juniper berries used to give it its flavor. As much, it is advisable to stay hydrated. However, it is a good option if you are in search of the best alcohol for no hangover.
3. Light Beer
Beer may not be the best choice when trying to avoid hangovers because it is usually quite dark and concentrated. However, if you have a true palette for beer, then be sure to stick to light beers. The lighter beers will undoubtedly save you from that heavy-head feeling the next day.
4. White Wine
If you are a true wine lover but are still trying to escape the dreaded hangover or red wine headache, then white wine is an excellent option for you. White wine will save you from the allergy-like symptoms brought about by histamines found in red wine that make the hangovers all the more terrible.
5. Sake
Another great option for a hangover-free morning is sake. It is among the best drink for no hangover because it has no histamines, which, as we have seen, are at fault for many wine-induced hangovers. Sake does not contain sulfites either.
6. Tequila
100% Agave Tequila is well known to be a drink that doesn’t give you a hangover. If you’ve ever seen a bottle of this tequila, it looks as clear as a crystal and this explains why it’s said to be the best drink for no hangover. It’s because it’s very pure and doesn’t contain anywhere near as many congeners as it’s cheaper (yellow colored) relatives.
Good Practices For A Hangover-free morning
While striving for a hangover-free morning, it is crucial to factor in a few of these practices as well to ensure that you get through the next day with only great memories.
· Pace Yourself as You Drink
Although drinking vodka as opposed to whiskey will help with the hangovers, it is probably not the best idea to drink up a whole bottle in one sitting. It goes without saying that you will probably get really sick.
An excellent way to avoid this is to pace yourself, by spacing out your drinks and stopping any impurities from building in your body. You can use those spaces to drink some water. Staying hydrated helps counter the diuretic effects of alcohol thus helping you to make it to the next day in one piece.
· Make Sure You Fill Up On Something Nutritious
Before you go drinking, it is important to ensure you are not going out on an empty stomach. Eating plays a critical role in how your body handles alcohol. You should eat a meal that is high in protein and fats that will help slow down the process of alcohol absorption. Drinking on a full stomach ensures that the alcohol absorption to the body is slowed down hence preventing nasty hangovers the next day.
After a night out, you might be craving a snack. When you do reach for one, ensure that it is easy to digest and is rich in carbohydrates as that will go a long way in helping you regain the energy lost because of alcohol’s diuretic properties.
Anything else to consider?
In reality, if you drink more alcohol than your liver can process, you are going to wake up with a hangover. Regardless of what alcoholic beverage you chose.
Therefore, in theory, a drink that gives no hangover doesn’t exist. Even with the agave tequila which is famously thought to give no hangover whatsoever.
That being said, if you’re only planning on having a few drinks which is well within your limits, then opting for a lighter colored beverage will increase your chances of waking up with no hangover.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end our look into the best drinks for no hangover.
Congeners play a massive role in hangover severity and are natural by-products produced during the alcohol fermentation process.
They give darker colored drinks their taste and aroma. However, they wreak havoc on your insides if you’re having more than a few glasses.
Sticking to lighter colored drinks are your best bet to waking up with no hangover. That being said, if you drink enough, you’ll have a hangover regardless.
