It’s a hangover cure that’s been around as long as alcohol, but experts now say drinking water doesn’t help.
The NHS continues to recommend drinking water to cope with the effects of too much alcohol, but research now reveals that it does little or nothing to dilute the impact of drinking too much.
Scientists at Utrecht University in the Netherlands who pooled data from three different studies found that there is no difference in how you feel the next day.
The studies, which involved hundreds of party-going students, recorded hangover symptoms in those who consumed water before bed and those who did not.
The results, published in the journal Alcohol, showed that although those who drank felt less dehydrated, they still had the same level of nausea, exhaustion and pain as students who did not drink water.
Those who drink water in the hope of easing a hangover have the same level of nausea and pain as people who don’t drink water, scientists say (File image)
The NHS continues to recommend drinking water to cope with the effects of excessive alcohol (file image)
Scientists at Utrecht University in the Netherlands (pictured) who pooled data from three different studies found that there is no difference in how you feel the next day.
The researchers concluded: ‘Water consumption during or immediately after a drinking session is not effective in preventing a hangover.
‘And the amount of water consumed during the hangover day is not significantly related to changes in gravity.’
Hangovers have a major impact on the UK workforce.
Data from the Institute of Alcohol Studies shows that every day in the UK up to 89,000 people may turn up for work hungover or still under the influence of alcohol.
Hangover-related absenteeism is thought to cost the UK economy up to £1.4bn a year.