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Are you wondering if drinking milk is good for hangovers? It's a popular hangover cure remedy, and lots of people drink milk to prevent and treat a hangover.
You may have heard that drinking milk can "line your stomach," acting like a barrier to alcohol.
But is any of this true? Is milk good for a hangover?
That's what we're going to find out today.
In this article, we will examine everything related to milk and alcohol. More specifically, we will answer whether drinking milk can prevent a hangover and whether it can "cure" your symptoms if you're feeling rough in the morning.
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.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DRINK MILK AFTER ALCOHOL?
Drinking milk after alcohol can help with hydration and provide some energy, but it doesn’t cure hangover symptoms. Milk may feel soothing on the stomach but won’t reduce inflammation or address other hangover causes like dehydration or toxin buildup.
IS MILK GOOD FOR HANGOVERS?
No, milk is not a cure for hangovers. While it provides hydration, energy, and nutrients like electrolytes, it does not alleviate hangover symptoms or speed up recovery. Drinking milk before alcohol may slow alcohol absorption, but it won't prevent a hangover.
CAN MILK CURE A HANGOVER?
No, milk cannot cure a hangover. While it provides hydration, nutrients, and energy, it does not alleviate hangover symptoms or speed up recovery.
Milk, whether cow’s, almond, or another type, is a nutritious and palatable drink that may feel more appealing than plain water when hungover. It contains vitamins like B12 and minerals like calcium, which are good for overall health.
However, these play a minimal role in managing hangover symptoms.
Although milk offers some hydration and energy, it won’t reduce inflammation, counteract toxins like acetaldehyde, or address dehydration, which are the primary causes of a hangover. The best way to manage a hangover is to stay hydrated, eat light foods, and rest.
IS COLD MILK GOOD FOR A HANGOVER?
Cold milk can feel refreshing and easier to consume when hungover, but it doesn’t offer specific benefits for hangovers. It hydrates and provides nutrients, but it won’t significantly reduce symptoms or speed recovery.
IS CHOCOLATE MILK GOOD FOR HANGOVERS?
Chocolate milk provides hydration, energy, and nutrients like calcium, but it is not a hangover cure. Its sugar content might temporarily boost energy, but it doesn’t address the root causes of hangovers like dehydration or inflammation.
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.
