Does Beer Dehydrate You?

Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage. It has been enjoyed for centuries, and it's one of the most common drinks in the world. Beer has been used for thousands of years as an ingredient in various recipes, including breads and dips. Many enjoy drinking it on its own, while others prefer beer mixed with other ingredients to make cocktails or paired with foods for tasting parties. However you choose to enjoy it, one thing to remember when drinking alcohol is to stay hydrated.

Beer is a Natural Diuretic

As a general rule, having a glass of water with every beer you drink is recommended. This is because consuming beer causes you to urinate more than you usually would since beer is a diuretic. This can increase the risk of dehydration since you lose the fluids you are taking in your body.

Alcohol also dehydrates your body as it increases the urine produced by your kidneys to process and filter it out of your body. This is why so many people urinate more frequently when they drink. For those who have ever referred to “breaking the seal” when drinking, this is a spot-on metaphor.

While having a beer alone won’t necessarily dehydrate you, drinking too much beer in one sitting may cause dehydration. Combining the excess liquid with the fact your kidneys are working harder to filter it out is going to leave you feeling thirsty. In addition, any drink that increases urination (i.e., a diuretic) will leave you feeling a little more dehydrated after losing excessive amounts of fluid.

Losing Fluids Can Offset Electrolyte Levels

Since beer (and alcohol in general) is a diuretic, which causes you to urinate more frequently, you lose water, affecting your fluid balance. Losing more fluid than you take in is the trademark way of depleting electrolyte levels. This leads to dehydration, even if you're drinking lots of water because your system craves more than just water when your electrolytes are off balance.

Hydration Aids Deliver An Added Hydration Boost

A hydration aid like DripDrop can really pick up where your body left off. When your body starts to process and filter out the alcohol through your kidneys, it can leave you feeling drained. All the excess fluid you lose through urination must be replaced before dehydration begins. The patented DripDrop formula contains the precise ratio of sodium electrolytes and lower glucose content required to activate the body’s sodium-glucose cotransport system and super-charge your system with faster and more effective fluid absorption and retention. This process fills in the cracks when drinking water alone may fail.

Higher ABV Can Make Your Body Work Harder

In addition to making you urinate more frequently, alcohol stays in the body longer than water. It can take up to 6 hours for alcohol to leave your system and get filtered out by your kidneys. Depending on what you drink, the ABV (alcohol by volume) varies by drink, and your body has to work much harder to rid itself of beverages with higher alcohol content.

You should also limit your soda and caffeine intake to reduce dehydration symptoms. Since you have consumed a diuretic (like beer), you want to avoid other diuretics to get your fluid levels back to normal and avoid dehydrating yourself more. Avoid any other factors that might negatively influence your fluid absorption.

Is Ginger Beer Good For You?

Choosing a ginger beer over a regular beer can be a healthy alternative. The name can mislead beverage connoisseurs, but due to how ginger beer is produced, there is no yeast present, nor is the drink fermented like traditional beer. Having no ABV or added yeast, ginger beer contains none of the diuretic properties that your favorite beer brands might, so there will be less dehydration. Not to mention, the high concentration of ginger gives this beverage a much more prominent ginger taste. So, in some ways, ginger beer is good for you. Also, ginger beer is a lower-sugar alternative to modern-day ginger ale, which has been suggested to ease upset stomachs in the past.

Take the Next Hydration Step - Your Body Will Be Grateful

The main takeaway is to be sure you properly hydrate if you drink an excessive amount of beer. This will prevent dehydration. Whether you drink more water or use a hydration aid, you can keep symptoms such as headaches and fatigue at bay. These symptoms often may be a red flag that your body needs fluids.

So remember to reach for plenty of water and a hydration aid to help boost your electrolyte levels. These simple steps can help you feel like yourself again after a night out.