Beer And Rum: A Match Made In Heaven?

There are many misconceptions about alcohol and drinking culture, one of them being the idea that drinking beer and liquor together will make you sick. The popular saying, beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear, suggests that drinking beer and liquor in a particular order will influence how sick you get. However, this is a myth, and the order of drinking beer and rum or any other liquor does not have an impact on how unwell you may feel. The amount of alcohol consumed and other factors, such as food intake and smoking, are more relevant to how you may feel the next day.

The myth of 'beer before liquor'

The saying, "beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear," is a popular phrase with unknown origins. It refers to the idea that you may be able to avoid a hangover by drinking your alcoholic beverages in a specific order. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this claim.

One theory behind the saying is that most people start their evenings with drinks that have a lower alcohol content, such as beer and wine, and then move on to liquor. So, if they get sick at the end of the night or feel terrible the next morning, they may attribute it to the order in which they consumed their drinks. Another theory is based on the idea that liquor has a higher alcohol content and is therefore more likely to spike your blood alcohol levels in a short period, compared to beer. As a result, ending the night with liquor after drinking beer can quickly increase a person's blood alcohol content, potentially leading to a hangover.

However, the order in which you consume your drinks is unlikely to influence whether you experience a hangover. This is because alcohol begins to be absorbed into your bloodstream as soon as it reaches your stomach, and it will have been absorbed long before a hangover sets in. As long as the total amount of alcohol consumed remains the same, drinking liquor before beer is no more effective in preventing a hangover than drinking beer first.

Instead, other factors have a greater impact on your risk of experiencing a hangover. These include the total amount of alcohol consumed, whether you drank on an empty stomach, how frequently you drink, genetics, congeners, and whether you smoke.

In conclusion, while the saying "beer before liquor, never been sicker" has been passed down through the generations, it is largely a myth. The key factor in determining the severity of a hangover is the total amount of alcohol consumed, rather than the order in which different types of drinks are consumed.

The origin of the saying

The popular saying, "Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear," refers to the idea that the order in which you drink alcoholic beverages can help you avoid a hangover. While many people believe in this rule, there is little scientific evidence to support it. The saying is believed to have originated from the way our bodies digest alcohol and the subjective experiences of drinkers.

One theory suggests that drinking carbonated beverages like beer irritates the stomach lining, increasing alcohol absorption. Starting with liquor and ending with beer may thus lead to a quicker spike in blood alcohol levels, potentially resulting in a worse hangover. However, this theory has been disputed, with experts stating that the total amount of alcohol consumed and individual factors like genetics, diet, and smoking status play a more significant role in determining hangover severity.

Another hypothesis is based on the rate at which our bodies get drunk. According to Kevin Strang, PhD, if you start with a drink that has a lower alcohol content, your body adjusts to that rate of intoxication. When you switch to a drink with a higher alcohol content, your body's intoxication surpasses the initial rate, leading you to drink faster and potentially increasing the likelihood of a hangover.

While the saying provides a guideline for drinkers, it is important to remember that the key factor in avoiding negative consequences is moderation. Excessive alcohol consumption, regardless of the order or type of beverage, can lead to unpleasant side effects and health risks.

Alcohol absorption rates

The absorption rate of alcohol is influenced by several factors, including the amount of alcohol consumed, the rate of consumption, the concentration of alcohol in the beverage, and whether the person is drinking on an empty stomach or with food.

When it comes to beer and rum, the absorption rate can vary. Beer typically has a lower alcohol content, usually ranging from 3% to 12% ABV, while rum is a distilled spirit with a higher alcohol concentration, often around 40% ABV. The higher the concentration of alcohol, the faster it is absorbed into the bloodstream.

If someone mixes rum with a beverage like Coke, the concentration of alcohol is diluted, and the absorption rate may be slightly slower compared to drinking rum straight. However, it's important to note that the overall alcohol content and the amount consumed are more significant factors in determining the effects and potential intoxication than the absorption rate alone.

Additionally, drinking on an empty stomach can lead to faster absorption of alcohol. Consuming beer or rum on a full stomach can slow down the rate of absorption and potentially reduce the severity of hangover symptoms the next day.

While the order of drinking beer and rum may not significantly affect the absorption rate, excessive consumption of any alcoholic beverage can lead to negative health consequences and an increased risk of alcohol poisoning. It is always important to drink responsibly and in moderation.

Blood alcohol content

Drinking beer and rum, or any alcoholic beverage, will cause your blood alcohol content (BAC) to increase. BAC is the amount of alcohol in your blood, and it develops when you consume beverages that contain alcohol. Alcohol is a toxin, and your liver metabolises it to filter it out of your blood. However, if you drink faster than your liver can process the alcohol, your BAC increases, and you may experience drunkenness or intoxication.

The amount of alcohol in your blood depends on several factors, including the amount of alcohol you consume, how quickly you are drinking, how much food you ate before drinking, your age, and your weight. Typically, your liver can process about one alcoholic drink per hour. A drink is usually defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. However, different beers and wines can contain different percentages of alcohol, so the standard serving size may vary. For example, a pint of beer at a brewery is generally 15 ounces, which is larger than the standard serving size, and beer contains between 4-7% ABV, with an average of 5%. Therefore, a 12-ounce beer at 5% ABV equals 0.6 ounces of alcohol per serving. However, a craft beer, such as an IPA, can contain up to 0.9 ounces of alcohol per serving, taking the liver longer to process.

The effects of alcohol on your body depend on your BAC. At 0.02% BAC, you may experience an altered mood, relaxation, and a slight loss of judgment. At 0.05% BAC, you may feel uninhibited and have lowered alertness and impaired judgment. At 0.08% BAC, you may have reduced muscle coordination, find it difficult to detect danger, and have impaired judgment and reasoning. As your BAC increases, you may experience more severe effects, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, confusion, drowsiness, and even alcohol poisoning. A BAC of over 0.40% is potentially fatal, putting you at risk of coma and death from respiratory arrest.

It is important to note that drinking beer before or after liquor is unlikely to affect whether you experience a hangover. The amount of alcohol you consume, how often you drink, whether you drink on an empty stomach, and other factors such as genetics and smoking, are more likely to influence the severity of a hangover.

Factors that affect hangovers

While the causes of a hangover are not fully understood, several factors are known to influence the severity of a hangover. These factors include the amount of alcohol consumed, the frequency of drinking, genetics, congeners, and whether food was consumed before drinking.

The amount of alcohol consumed is a significant factor in determining the severity of a hangover. Higher blood alcohol levels are more likely to induce a hangover than lower levels. Heavy drinkers, or those who consume a large quantity of alcohol in a single session, are more likely to experience more intense hangover symptoms.

The frequency of drinking also plays a role. Regular or heavy drinkers are more likely to reach blood alcohol concentration levels that lead to hangovers. Additionally, there is some evidence that suggests repeated heavy drinking episodes may increase the severity of hangovers over time.

Genetics can also influence an individual's susceptibility to hangovers. Genetic factors can affect how the body metabolizes alcohol, impacting sleep, hydration, blood sugar levels, and blood vessel dilation—all of which can influence hangover severity. For example, certain genetic variants, predominantly found in East Asians, result in faster conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde, a highly toxic compound. This can lead to the alcohol flush reaction, also known as the "Asian Flush," causing discomfort and increasing the likelihood of severe hangovers.

Congeners, compounds produced during fermentation, are found in higher levels in darker spirits such as bourbon. These congeners can worsen hangover symptoms for some people. Sulfites, another type of compound added to wine as preservatives, can cause headaches in people who are sensitive to them.

Lastly, drinking on an empty stomach can intensify hangovers. When alcohol is consumed without food, it moves quickly from the stomach to the intestines, where it is more rapidly absorbed, leading to a faster spike in blood alcohol levels. Eating before or while drinking can help slow down the absorption of alcohol and potentially reduce the severity of a hangover.

Frequently asked questions