Many people receive firm guidance on which type of alcohol to start with to avoid feeling unwell the following morning. This focus on the order of consumption speaks to a curiosity about how the body processes different drinks. The question of whether the sequence of beverages affects intoxication or a hangover is a subject ripe for investigation. This article examines the popular belief surrounding the order of drinking and outlines the physiological factors that determine how alcohol affects the body.
Examining the Popular Folklore
The most enduring piece of drinking folklore is often summarized by the rhyme, “Beer before wine and you’ll be fine; wine before beer and you’ll feel queer.” This saying suggests a direct relationship between the order of consumption and the severity of the next day’s discomfort. The belief implies that starting with a lower alcohol concentration, like beer, and progressing to a higher one, like wine, somehow protects the drinker. Conversely, switching from wine’s higher alcohol content to beer’s lower content is thought to accelerate negative effects. This popular wisdom attempts to provide a simple rule but overlooks the complex biological mechanisms at play.
How Alcohol Concentration Affects Absorption
The rate at which alcohol enters the bloodstream is primarily governed by its concentration, or ABV. Wine typically contains 12% to 15% ABV, while most beers range from 4% to 6% ABV. Beverages with a higher alcohol concentration are absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream. This means consuming wine generally leads to a faster rise in Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
The apparent effect of the drinking order is often an illusion created by this difference in absorption speed. When a person switches from a lower-concentration drink to a higher-concentration drink, they suddenly consume ethanol at a much faster rate. This abrupt increase causes a quicker spike in BAC and a more sudden onset of intoxication.
The Real Drivers of Hangover Severity
The order in which beer and wine are consumed is irrelevant to the severity of the subsequent hangover. The most significant factor determining how unwell a person will feel is the total amount of pure ethanol consumed. If the total intake is high, a severe hangover will result regardless of the drinking sequence.
Another major influence is the rate of consumption, or pacing, because the liver can only metabolize ethanol at a fixed speed. Drinking too quickly overwhelms the body’s ability to process alcohol, leading to a higher peak BAC. Alcohol also acts as a diuretic, causing dehydration that contributes to symptoms like headache and fatigue. Finally, the presence of congeners, toxic byproducts of fermentation, plays a role. Darker beverages, such as red wine, generally have higher congener levels than lighter drinks like beer, which can intensify hangover symptoms.
Strategies for Moderation
Focusing on responsible consumption habits is a far more effective strategy for avoiding a hangover than worrying about the sequence of drinks. The most direct method for prevention is limiting the total quantity of alcohol consumed over the course of an evening.
Effective Moderation Strategies
- Set a maximum number of drinks before beginning to drink and adhere strictly to that limit.
- Maintain proper hydration, as alcohol’s diuretic effect can quickly lead to dehydration.
- Consume a full glass of water or a non-alcoholic beverage between each alcoholic drink to mitigate fluid loss.
- Eat food before and during consumption to slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.