Does Milk Help Hangovers?

Have you ever woken up after a party feeling like your head is in a vise and your stomach is on a rollercoaster? Welcome to the world of hangovers! In this article, we’ll dissect the hangover, develop an understanding of the science behind it, and explore remedies, all the while focusing on the claim that a glass of milk can make the pain go away.

Can a glass of milk really be the elixir to your morning-after woes? Stay tuned! 

Understanding Hangovers

First, let's dive into the science of hangovers and why they turn our mornings upside down.

Hangovers are morning-after messengers, reminding us of our indulgences from the night before. They don't just disrupt our physical well-being; they turn our plans for a productive day into a struggle for basic comfort. But why does our body react this way?

Understanding the science behind a hangover is key to navigating the aftermath of a night out. They’re a blend of dehydration, chemical reactions, and the body's attempts to restore balance after being bombarded with more alcohol than it can handle. While everyone's experience might differ slightly, the common thread is that our body is working overtime to recover from a temporary onslaught of booze.

The Morning-After Blues


So, what does a hangover bring to the party? Here's the not-so-fun guest list:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Moodiness
• Sensitivity to light and sound

Hangovers are no fun, as anyone who’s ever had one can attest. Since the beginning of recorded history, humans have desperately searched for hangover cures. Over the years, some pretty absurd remedies have popped up — maybe we’ve even tried one or two of them!

Let’s zoom in on milk as a hangover cure. Some people swear by it, but is there any truth behind it?

Milk as a Cure: Origins and Beliefs

The origins of the milk-as-a-cure belief are somewhat nebulous. Milk has long been important for humans. In ancient times, it was viewed as a symbol of prosperity and abundance. It’s obviously associated with breastfeeding, which contributes to the perception of milk as a nourishing comfort food.

And milk is certainly nourishing! Thanks to modern dietary science, we know that it’s a rich source of essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins. Let’s get specific about milk’s wholesome nutritional offerings:

• Calcium. Milk is famously high in this essential nutrient for bone health, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Our central nervous system uses calcium to recover from alcohol’s depressant effects. Calcium is also an important electrolyte, which helps us overcome the dehydration resulting from alcohol’s diuretic effect.
• Vitamin B12. When we drink, our metabolism puts other tasks on hold to prioritize processing and eliminating alcohol. After all that work, it needs vitamin B12 to recharge. This vitamin is also essential for red blood cell formation and plays a role in maintaining our energy levels.
• Protein. Protein builds and repairs tissues, helping us overcome that sprained ankle we got from stumbling around while drunk. It also helps repair the tissue damage caused by alcohol’s toxic by-products and stabilizes blood sugar levels (which can fluctuate during hangovers), reducing fatigue and irritability.
• Potassium. Alcohol’s diuretic effect depletes our levels of potassium. Replenishing this essential electrolyte helps us restore proper fluid balance and allows our nerve signals to travel more effectively.
• Phosphorus. This mineral works with calcium to build bones and teeth, and is an important part of energy production in our cells.
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2). Another part of the amazing B vitamin family, riboflavin plays a role in energy production and cellular function. It helps restore the energy balance disrupted by alcohol consumption.
• Vitamin D. Without vitamin D, our body struggles to absorb calcium. This is why milk in grocery stores is often fortified with vitamin D (you may also see this pairing in orange juice, yogurt, and sports drinks).

The nutrients in milk contribute to overall well-being and might alleviate some indirect effects of a hangover, but its primary benefit is rehydration and replenishment of depleted nutrients. Its capacity to directly counteract a hangover is more folklore than fact.

But what about preventing hangovers? Beyond its nutritional profile, there’s a common belief that milk can “coat the stomach” and slow the absorption of certain foods and drinks — especially alcohol. Scientifically, this is a bit of a stretch. 

Let’s dive deeper into milk's supposed ability to diminish the effects of being drunk or high. Is there any truth to these claims, or are they just old wives’ tales?

Does Milk Sober You Up?

Some people swear that milk sobers them up when they’ve been drinking, but what does science have to say? To understand this, we first need to examine how the body metabolizes alcohol — then we can explore where milk might fit into the picture.

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and intestines. From there, it's primarily metabolized in the liver with the help of alcohol dehydrogenase (ALDH). This key enzyme converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, the toxic compound responsible for most icky hangover symptoms.

While it's true that eating a meal before drinking alcohol can slow its absorption slightly, it doesn't prevent intoxication or help us sober up. Furthermore, milk doesn't contain any magical ingredients that can alter the body's metabolic processes to break down alcohol faster.

The alcohol elimination process in the body is a fixed biological function, and no amount of milk consumption will change this. There’s only one magic ingredient for sobering up from alcohol — time! 

But what if you need to sober up from something else?

Does Milk Get Rid of Your High?

Much like “getting rid of drunkenness,” the notion of "getting rid of a high" involves counteracting the effects of a psychoactive substance. These chemicals interact with the brain and central nervous system in complex ways by changing the function of our neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are responsible for our mood, consciousness, and physical sensations. Substances can alter our chemical balance quickly, but it often takes much longer for the body to restore balance. Unfortunately, there is usually no quick fix for a high, except in the case of life-saving overdose medications like naloxone (Narcan).

While some people might report feeling better or less intoxicated after drinking milk, this is likely a placebo effect from consuming a soothing, familiar beverage.

Alternatives to Milk for Hangover Relief

So, if there’s no magic elixir for kicking our hangover to the curb, what can we do for relief when we’re feeling less than great?

• Stay hydrated. Water is your best friend for preventing and relieving hangovers. Sports drinks, coconut water, electrolyte drinks, and milk are all great, but be sure to drink good-old-fashioned water as well.

• Eat to recover. Eating a nutritious breakfast helps maintain your blood sugar levels. Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, such as eggs, avocados, as well as whole grains, can do wonders for hangover recovery.
• Ginger tea. Ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties and helps kick-start digestion. Drinking ginger tea can settle your stomach and reduce that morning-after queasiness.
• Sleep and rest. Time is the best cure for hangover relief. Alcohol disrupts sleep, so take it easy and give yourself extra time to rest and recuperate.
• Avoid caffeine. It might be tempting to shake off the hangover fatigue with a cup of coffee, but this “solution” often ends up making things worse. Caffeine, like alcohol, is a diuretic. You might feel better at first, but hangover symptoms will take even longer to dissipate.

• Prevent hangovers. Stay ahead of your hangover by drinking a glass of water as a break between alcoholic beverages. This slows you down and prevents overconsumption, ensuring you're well-hydrated before going to bed.


The best way to avoid hangovers is to drink in moderation or practice mindful drinking. If we’re already in the hangover phase, we can use this opportunity to reflect on our relationship to alcohol and consider making a hangover prevention plan for next time.

Conclusion

While milk can be a helpful tool in the hangover recovery process, it’s not a cure-all. Milk is rich in nutrients that nourish our body during the detox phase, and it’s an excellent supplement to water. While prevention is the best cure, our next best options are to rest, eat a good meal, and hydrate!