Beer Or Liquor: Which Should You Drink First?

Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear is a well-known phrase that suggests drinking beer before liquor will make you ill. While the origin of this saying is unknown, it is likely based on theories about how alcohol is metabolised. However, scientific evidence suggests that the order in which different types of alcohol are consumed does not affect the severity of a hangover. Instead, factors such as dehydration, intoxication level, and total alcohol consumption play a more significant role in determining hangover intensity.

Carbonated drinks irritate the stomach lining, increasing alcohol absorption

Carbonated drinks can irritate the stomach lining, which increases alcohol absorption and makes you more sensitive to spirits consumed later. Research published in 2007 showed that most of the study subjects absorbed vodka faster when it was mixed with carbonated water.

Carbonation affects alcohol by temporarily moving the alcohol into your bloodstream faster than normal. The rate of alcohol absorption means you might feel the effects of bubbly alcoholic beverages faster compared to flat drinks. Some studies show that carbonation in drinks like champagne speeds up the rate of alcohol absorption anywhere from 40-50%. However, these studies are limited, and the effects are not true for everyone.

The impact of carbonation on the gastrointestinal system is determined by its interaction with carbon dioxide. Carbonated drinks can cause mechanical and chemical effects on the stomach, with symptoms of gastric mechanical distress appearing when drinking more than 300ml of a carbonated fluid.

While you may feel drunk faster after drinking alcohol mixed with carbonated beverages, it doesn't mean you'll stay that way. After a while, the effects even out, and the drunkest person will usually be the one who consumed the largest amount of alcohol, regardless of carbonation.

Carbonated drinks are not the only factor that affects how quickly you feel the effects of alcohol. Other factors include existing medications, health conditions, smoking, drinking speed, and body composition.

Total alcohol consumed is a major factor in hangover severity

The order in which you consume your drinks is unlikely to influence whether you experience a hangover the next day. This is because alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream as soon as it reaches your stomach. Thus, the order in which you drink beer or liquor does not matter as long as the total amount of alcohol you consume remains the same.

However, the total amount of alcohol consumed is a major factor in hangover severity. The more alcohol you drink, the worse the hangover will be. This is true regardless of whether you drink beer, wine, distilled spirits, or a combination of these. Drinking on an empty stomach can also worsen hangover symptoms as it causes alcohol to move quickly from your stomach to your intestines, where it can be absorbed even more rapidly and spike your blood alcohol levels.

Other factors that can affect hangover severity include genetics, congeners (compounds found in dark liquors), smoking, sleep, and hydration levels.

Drinking on an empty stomach increases likelihood of a hangover

Drinking on an empty stomach is likely to increase the likelihood of a hangover. Alcohol is most quickly absorbed by the small intestine. The longer alcohol stays in the stomach, the slower it is absorbed, and the slower its effects on the body. Food prevents alcohol from passing quickly into the small intestine, so when there is food in the stomach before drinking, alcohol is absorbed more slowly.

When drinking on an empty stomach, much of the alcohol consumed passes quickly from the stomach into the small intestine, where most of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This intensifies all the side effects of drinking, such as the ability to think and coordinate body movements.

Drinking on an empty stomach also makes it easier for the body to absorb alcohol, increasing the likelihood of a hangover. Eating before drinking can slow down alcohol's effects and reduce the chances of a bad reaction to alcohol.

Drinking on an empty stomach can also increase the risk of alcohol poisoning, which is a life-threatening condition. It occurs when someone drinks too much too fast. Signs of alcohol poisoning include hypothermia, loss of coordination, slow or abnormal breathing, stupor, and unconsciousness.

Genetics play a role in hangover susceptibility

There is no evidence to support the idea that drinking beer or liquor first will help you avoid a hangover. The amount of alcohol you consume is a more significant factor in determining the severity of a hangover. However, genetics also play a crucial role in hangover susceptibility, with genes accounting for as much as 55% of the variability in hangovers.

Genetics influence how your body metabolises alcohol and can impact factors such as sleep, hydration, blood sugar levels, and blood vessel dilation, all of which can contribute to hangover severity. For instance, some individuals of Asian ancestry carry genes that trigger unpleasant effects after consuming even small amounts of alcohol. On the other hand, some people possess genes that delay the onset of negative side effects, increasing their risk of developing alcohol use disorder.

Research has also shown that drinking on an empty stomach, not consuming enough water, and smoking while drinking can increase the likelihood of experiencing a hangover.

While the order of drinks may not significantly affect hangovers, it is important to note that drinking liquor first can overwhelm the body's liver enzymes, leading to more severe hangover symptoms. Additionally, carbonated beverages like beer can irritate the stomach lining, causing faster alcohol absorption and increased sensitivity to subsequent drinks.

Alcohol affects men and women differently

There are several reasons why alcohol affects men and women differently. Firstly, women's bodies contain proportionately less water and more fat than men's bodies. Since water dilutes alcohol and fat retains it, women's organs are exposed to higher concentrations of alcohol for longer periods. Additionally, women have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that breaks down alcohol before it reaches the bloodstream. This means that even when body weight is taken into account, women will have higher blood alcohol levels than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol. As a result, one drink for a woman is roughly equivalent to two drinks for a man.

Women tend to weigh less than men, and their bodies generally have less water and more fatty tissue. This difference in body composition means that when men and women drink at the same rate, women absorb more alcohol, leading to greater exposure and a higher risk of damaging consequences. Furthermore, differences in brain chemistry, metabolism, and hormones indicate that drinking is more likely to cause long-term health problems in women, including alcohol-related organ damage and trauma from traffic crashes and interpersonal violence.

Recent studies suggest that females are more susceptible than males to alcohol-induced liver inflammation, cardiovascular disease, memory blackouts, hangovers, and certain cancers. Women who consume three drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer. Additionally, women who drink alcohol while pregnant are more likely to experience miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Even small amounts of alcohol can negatively impact the unborn fetus, leading to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

While approximately 20% of men have an alcohol abuse disorder, around 7-12% of women do. However, recent studies show that drinking habits among women are becoming more similar to those of men. Teenage girls have higher rates of underage drinking and binge drinking than boys. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, and they may self-medicate by drinking, ultimately leading to alcoholism.

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