WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF A HANGOVER?

Before discussing whether milk is good for hangovers, we should examine the causes of hangovers. It'll be hard to tell if milk can help without knowing why we get hangovers.

The science of hangovers is quite complicated and involves several different factors:

DEHYDRATION

You may already know that dehydration is one of the leading causes of a hangover. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes your kidneys flush out water. That's because it blocks the release of a hormone called vasopressin. That's why drinking over several hours can result in significant dehydration. You can find out more about this in our article about why alcohol dehydrates you.

INFLAMMATION

Inflammation is a less-known cause of hangovers. Alcohol is a toxin and produces ever more toxins after it's broken down in your liver. One of the main by-products of alcohol metabolism is acetaldehyde. It's a highly reactive and harmful substance that inflames the cells it comes into contact with.

Several alcohol-related gastrointestinal cancers are linked to repeated acetaldehyde exposure. (1)

SLEEP DISTURBANCE

Sleep is not the same when alcohol is in your bloodstream. That's because alcohol dramatically reduces the quality of your sleep by blocking your brain from reaching the REM stage. This is the deepest stage of sleep and is essential for fully resting your mind. Even though alcohol will make you fall asleep much more manageable, the sleep quality is poor and easily disrupted.

In summary: The cause of hangovers is "multi-factorial." Meaning that there is no single cause. Instead, it is a combination of the damaging and disrupting effects of alcohol. So, for milk to be good for hangovers, it must have remarkable health benefits.

Next, we'll examine milk's ingredients to see whether it contains anything that can help with hangovers.

WHAT IS MILK MADE OF?

Well, it all depends on which type of milk you go for. As an example, we'll compare cow's milk and almond milk.

One 240 ml cup of cow's milk with 3.25% fat provides:

Calories: 150

Water: 90%

Protein: 8 grams

Carbs: 12 grams

Sugar: 12 grams

Fiber: 0 grams

Fat: 9 grams

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B2

Calcium

Phosphorus

Vitamin D

One cup (240 ml) of commercial almond milk provides:

Calories: 39

Fat: 3 grams

Protein: 1 gram

Carbs: 3.5 grams

Fiber: 0.5 grams

Calcium

Potassium

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

The main difference is that cow's milk is made from animal protein, specifically casein, whereas almond milk is plant-based. Also, cow's milk has a lot more calcium in it.

On the other hand, almond milk is very high in vitamin E, an antioxidant.

Milk is also rich in electrolytes like potassium and calcium, which can aid in rehydration, an essential factor in managing hangover symptoms.

IS MILK GOOD FOR A HANGOVER?

Now, on to the main question: is milk good for hangovers?

To explore this more, we'll split up the answer into the following:

• Drinking milk when you already have a hangover

• Drinking milk before drinking alcohol 

CAN MILK CURE A HANGOVER?

The simple answer to this question is no. Milk will not cure your hangover. Nothing on the planet will because a "hangover cure" doesn't exist.

On the other hand, it may be a more tasty, palatable drink than plain water. Also, it provides some essential nutrients and is a good energy source.

Nothing else in it will reduce the hangover symptoms or speed up your recovery, though. That goes for almond, cow, or any other type of milk. While milk contains vitamins such as B12 and minerals like calcium, which are beneficial for your general health, these play a limited role in alleviating hangover symptoms.

DOES DRINKING MILK BEFORE ALCOHOL PREVENT HANGOVERS?

Once again, the answer is no. If you drink enough alcohol, you're guaranteed to wake up with a hangover: milk or no milk.

However, if you're comparing drinking alcohol on an empty stomach to drinking milk before, then milk is better.

The reason is that drinking on an empty stomach leads to significant spikes in blood alcohol concentrations, which wreaks havoc on your insides. On the other hand, eating or drinking something beforehand dramatically reduces the speed of alcohol absorption. 

In this case, cow's milk is marginally better than almond milk because it contains more carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

That said, eating a meal is better than any milk. Food sits in your stomach much longer than a liquid drink.

WHAT ABOUT OAT MILK OR CHOCOLATE MILK (OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF MILK) FOR HANGOVERS?

The truth is the difference is marginal. Milk does not contain magic hangover-curing ingredients. It's a nutritious drink that will provide you with some energy and hydration.

More importantly, you can tolerate it better than a meal in the morning when you are hungover. But if you can eat, consider a hangover breakfast of plain toast, oatmeal, or bananas, which will be accessible on your stomach and provide essential nutrients.

ANYTHING ELSE TO CONSIDER?

Hangovers are a sign from your body that you've been drinking too much alcohol for your body to handle. Trying to drink milk to prevent or cure your hangover is the wrong approach.

When it comes to hangovers, taking all the necessary steps to prevent them is vital. That means drinking less alcohol, drinking at a slower pace, staying hydrated, and eating before going out.

It's also a good idea to avoid caffeine and sugary drinks when you're hungover, as they can worsen your dehydration and disrupt your blood sugar levels, prolonging your symptoms.

MILK FOR HANGOVERS – FINAL VERDICT

There are a lot of hangover cure myths out there, and drinking milk for hangovers is one of them.

Many people drink "milk to line the stomach" before going out. Eating solid food is probably better.

Others drink milk in the morning in the hope that it will relieve some of their symptoms. Unfortunately, it does not.

We've also explained that it doesn't matter what milk you choose. It will all have the same non-effect on your hangover.

With all that said, if you're feeling rough and like drinking milk because it's easier to hold down, then, by all means, it's a good drink to start with. And it certainly won't do you any harm.

If you're interested in this topic, check out our article on the best hangover-cure drinks.