If the quantity of alcohol ingested influences the severity of a hangover, so does the quality of the alcohol.
Nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, dry and pasty mouth, headaches, intense thirst… Typical symptoms of a “hangover” the day after an evening rich in alcohol. Many scientists have looked into the issue of hangovers and argue that dehydration caused by alcohol is the main cause of his symptoms. However, it appears that the distillation of alcohol also plays a role in the severity of symptoms. Distillation is the action of purifying a liquid through a heating process. A Danish study published in Alcohol and Alchoholism shows that the less alcohol is distilled, the greater the risk of a hangover.
Dark alcohols?
Thus, for equal quantity and quality, dark alcohols (little distilled) gave more typical symptoms of a hangover than “white” alcohols (which were therefore more distilled) such as Vodka, Gin, beer white or blonde, white wine or Sake. Among “dark” alcohols:
- Whiskey
- Brandy
- Brown or amber rum
- Red wine
- Port
- Dark beer
- Liqueurs (Campari, Amaretto…)
“The presence and severity of hangovers are influenced by many factors other than the amount of alcohol: one of these factors is the presence of congeners in alcoholic beverages. Congeners are substances that flavor and color drinks” hence the “dark” side of certain lightly distilled alcohols, explain the researchers. It can be concluded that alcoholic drinks that contain more congeners produce a more severe hangover“. Among them, in order: Brandy, red wine, rum, whiskey, white wine, vodka, beer.
Champagne?
Another study published in the Journal Of Forensic and Legal Medicine showed that Champagne and soft cocktails (rum and coke, gin and tonic, mojito or spritz For example) get drunk more quickly and lead to more severe hangovers. To reach their conclusion, the researchers followed 21 people (12 men and 9 women) who consumed three drinks: pure vodka (37.5% alcohol), vodka mixed with still water (18.75% alcohol), vodka mixed with sparkling water (18.75% alcohol). People who have drunk alcohol diluted with plain water eliminated alcohol more quickly than those who consumed pure vodka or alcohol with sparkling water.
