Mixing Beer And Vodka: Safe Or Not?

Mixing beer and vodka on a night out is unlikely to have any different effect on your body than sticking to one type of alcoholic beverage. However, it is important to note that the total amount of alcohol consumed remains the same and that drinking on an empty stomach can cause alcohol to be absorbed more rapidly, potentially worsening side effects. Mixing drinks may also make it harder to keep track of how much alcohol has been consumed, increasing the risk of drinking more than intended.

Beer and vodka: a dangerous mix?

Mixing your drinks is a common occurrence on a night out, but is it a good idea to mix beer and vodka?

Firstly, it's important to note that simply mixing different types of alcohol is unlikely to make you sick. Drinking a beer and a gin and tonic will probably have the same effect on your body as sticking to one type of alcoholic beverage. However, carbonated drinks like beer and sparkling wines can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the rate of alcohol absorption, so starting with beer and then adding wine or liquor may lead to faster intoxication.

The popular saying "beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear" suggests that drinking beer before liquor will result in a hangover. However, this is a myth. The order in which you consume your drinks is unlikely to influence whether you experience a hangover the next day. As long as the total amount of alcohol you consume remains the same, the order in which you drink beer and vodka shouldn't affect how you feel.

That being said, mixing beer and vodka can be risky because they are both highly alcoholic drinks with the same amount of ethanol. This means that mixing them can lead to consuming more alcohol than intended, which can have dangerous consequences. Additionally, beer and vodka contain similar contents but also come with elements that may be unsuitable for your health.

So, while it's not inherently dangerous to mix beer and vodka in the same night, it's important to be mindful of your total alcohol intake and to remember that mixing drinks can make it harder to keep track of how much you've consumed.

The order of drinks: does it matter?

There is a popular saying that goes, "Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear." This saying suggests that drinking beer before liquor will lead to a worse hangover than drinking liquor before beer. However, despite the elaborate theories behind this saying, the order in which you consume your drinks is unlikely to influence whether you experience a hangover the next day.

Alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream as soon as it reaches your stomach, so all the alcohol you drank the night before will have been absorbed long before your hangover sets in. As long as the total amount of alcohol you consume remains the same, it doesn't matter whether you drank beer or liquor first. However, if a particular drinking order consistently causes you to consume larger amounts of alcohol than another, it may increase the likelihood of a hangover.

It's worth noting that carbonated drinks like beer and sparkling wines can irritate the stomach lining, increasing alcohol absorption. So, starting with beer and then adding liquor may lead to intoxication more quickly. Additionally, people who start with liquor tend to drink less beer overall.

While the order of drinks may not significantly affect your hangover, other factors certainly do. These include the total amount of alcohol consumed, whether you drank on an empty stomach, how frequently you drink, your genetics, congeners (compounds found in alcoholic beverages), and whether you smoke.

In conclusion, while the popular saying suggests a link between drinking order and hangover severity, the evidence suggests that it's the total amount of alcohol consumed and other factors that influence your risk of a hangover, rather than the order in which you drink beer and liquor.

Mixing drinks: health concerns

Mixing drinks, especially those with a high alcohol content, can have adverse effects on your health. Firstly, it can be challenging to keep track of your total alcohol intake when drinking different types of alcohol, increasing the risk of overconsumption. This is because your body gets accustomed to getting drunk at a certain rate, and switching to a drink with a higher alcohol content can cause you to drink faster without realizing it. Consequently, you may experience more severe hangover symptoms and other negative side effects.

Additionally, mixing carbonated alcoholic drinks, such as beer, with spirits like vodka, can irritate the stomach lining, increasing alcohol absorption. This can lead to faster intoxication and a higher risk of alcohol-related health issues.

Another concern is mixing alcohol with caffeine. Caffeine does not reduce the effects of alcohol on your body, but it can make you feel more alert and energized, leading to increased alcohol consumption. This combination can result in higher blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, dehydration, and an elevated risk of injury and health complications.

Furthermore, alcohol should not be mixed with certain medications, including over-the-counter drugs, prescription medications, and illicit drugs. Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of some medications and lead to dangerous interactions. For example, mixing alcohol with antihypertensive medications can cause increased blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, while combining it with diabetes medications can lead to dangerous alterations in blood sugar levels.

Lastly, clear liquors like vodka and gin tend to have fewer congeners than darker drinks like brandy, whisky, and rum. Mixing these types of drinks can irritate the stomach, so it is generally advised to stick to one type of drink to reduce the risk of stomach irritation and other negative health consequences.

Avoiding a hangover: tips and tricks

Drinking beer and vodka on the same night is possible, and contrary to popular belief, simply mixing different types of alcohol is unlikely to make you sick. However, it is important to note that both beer and vodka are highly alcoholic, and excessive consumption of either can lead to intoxication and a hangover.

Before Drinking

• Eat a full meal: Eating a meal rich in nutrients like zinc and nicotinic acid before drinking can help reduce hangover severity. Fatty foods like avocado and high-fibre foods like Brussels sprouts, lentils, and popcorn can delay alcohol absorption.
• Consider supplements: Some studies suggest that dietary supplements containing B vitamins and zinc may reduce hangover symptoms, although more research is needed.

While Drinking

• Drink in moderation: The best way to prevent a hangover is to drink in moderation or abstain from alcohol altogether. Stick to one standard drink per hour, as the liver typically takes about an hour to process one drink.
• Choose low-congener drinks: Congeners are toxic chemicals in alcoholic drinks that contribute to hangovers. Clear liquors like vodka and gin have lower congener levels than darker drinks like whiskey and red wine.
• Drink water: Alcohol is a diuretic, so drinking water can help prevent dehydration, a contributing factor to hangover symptoms. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to pace yourself.
• Avoid carbonated drinks: Carbonation can increase the rate of alcohol absorption, leading to faster intoxication.
• Avoid energy drinks: Beverages like orange juice or energy drinks can lead to ethanol-related liver damage when mixed with alcohol.

After Drinking

• Get enough sleep: Alcohol can disrupt sleep quality and duration, so aim for a good night's rest to help your body recover.
• Eat a nutritious breakfast: Hangovers are associated with low blood sugar levels, so a hearty breakfast can help restore blood sugar and mitigate hangover symptoms.
• Avoid the "hair of the dog": Drinking more alcohol the morning after is not a cure for a hangover and may worsen symptoms.
• Rehydrate: Alcohol's diuretic effect can cause dehydration, so drinking fluids like water, coconut water, or sports drinks can help replenish fluids and electrolytes.

Alcohol absorption: how it works

Alcohol is a drug that affects the body in various ways, and it's important to understand how it is absorbed to make informed decisions about drinking. Alcohol absorption refers to the process by which alcohol enters the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. Here's how alcohol absorption works:

The Role of the Stomach and Intestines

Alcohol is not digested like food; instead, it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the tissue lining of the stomach and small intestine. The rate of absorption varies depending on several factors, including the concentration of alcohol, the presence of food, and individual characteristics like sex and body composition.

Factors Affecting Absorption Rate

When alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach, it is absorbed more quickly. The presence of food can inhibit absorption by physically obstructing alcohol from contacting the stomach lining and by slowing the emptying of the stomach into the small intestine. Carbohydrates in food are particularly effective at retarding absorption. Additionally, drinks aerated with carbon dioxide, such as cocktails or sparkling wines, tend to irritate the stomach lining, increasing the rate of alcohol absorption.

Distribution in the Body

Once alcohol is in the bloodstream, it is distributed throughout the body, reaching most tissues, including the heart, brain, and muscles. However, alcohol does not enter bone and fat tissues. The liver is an exception, as it receives blood directly from the stomach and small bowel, resulting in greater exposure to alcohol.

Sex Differences in Absorption

Women tend to experience higher blood and tissue alcohol concentrations than men, even when adjusting for body weight. This is because women generally have a higher percentage of body fat, which reduces the volume of distribution, leading to higher concentrations in the remaining lean tissue. Additionally, women may have lower levels of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes in the stomach, resulting in less alcohol being metabolized before absorption.

Mixing Alcoholic Beverages

Mixing different types of alcoholic beverages, such as beer and vodka, does not inherently make you sick or increase intoxication. The total amount of alcohol consumed and individual factors, such as sex, body composition, and liver function, play a more significant role in determining the effects of alcohol. However, carbonated drinks like beer can irritate the stomach lining, potentially increasing the rate of alcohol absorption when mixed with liquor.

Frequently asked questions