It’s something I’ve wondered since my first tequila shot – does tequila give you a hangover? The answer to this question is more complicated than it seems. As with any alcoholic beverage, drinking too much can cause a hangover, but that doesn’t mean that all tequila causes hangovers.
The answer depends on how much you drink and what type of tequila you choose. Generally speaking, the higher quality of tequila, the less chance you have of getting a hangover. So if your tequila has a “100% Agave” on the label, you can be a little more confident that it won’t give you a hangover.
Let’s now look at the science behind how alcohol affects our bodies and how it relates to drinking tequila.
How Your Body Processes Alcohol
When you drink alcohol, your liver works hard to break it down into its components so that your body can get rid of it.
Your liver turns alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is then broken down further into acetic acid and water. This process takes time and energy. If we drink too much alcohol before the liver has had a chance to do its job, toxins will build up in the bloodstream faster than they can be broken down, thus leading to a hangover.
This is why experts recommend that you stop drinking after a certain amount of alcohol has been consumed.
What Makes Tequila Different from Other Alcohols?
Tequila is made from blue agave plants and is produced primarily in Mexico. It’s important to note that only drinks labeled as “100% agave” are actually made from pure agave (other brands may mix in sugars).
Agave contains fructose sugars which are easier for your body to digest because they don’t require as much energy from your liver for breakdown. This means that it’s less likely for toxins to build up in your bloodstream when consuming tequila as opposed to other types of alcohol.
Tequila also has fewer congeners (byproducts of fermentation) than other drinks like whiskey or vodka, which reduces the potential for a hangover as well.
Does Tequila Give You a Hangover?
What type of tequila you drink definitely affects your chances of getting a hangover. If you stick to 100% agave tequila, the odds are much lower that you’ll wake up with a pounding head and fuzzy brain.
If your tequila is not labeled as 100% agave, then it will contain a mix of other sugar-based alcohols. It’s the mix of these alcohols that can lead to a hangover, so you may want to avoid these types of tequila if you’re particularly sensitive to hangovers.
Ultimately, the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink responsibly and keep track of how much you’re drinking. If you do find that tequila gives you a hangover, try limiting yourself to only one or two drinks to see if that helps.
How to Recover from a Tequila Hangover
The throbbing headache, nausea, and the general feeling of a hangover can be enough to make you swear off tequila forever. But if you want to avoid these symptoms, there are a few things you can do to minimize the effects of your tequila hangover.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is one of the main causes of a tequila hangover. To counteract this, drink plenty of water before and after drinking tequila, as well as throughout the day if possible.
If plain water isn’t doing it for you, try coconut water or sports drinks like Gatorade or Vitamin Water to replenish lost electrolytes. Avoid sugary sodas and energy drinks; these will only worsen your dehydration and make your hangover worse.
Eat Something
Having an empty stomach can cause your body to absorb alcohol more quickly and increase your chances of getting a bad hangover.
So when you know a night out with tequila is in your future, eat something beforehand – a meal that’s heavy on carbs and light on fat will help slow down alcohol absorption in your body.
Once it’s time for recovery mode, munch on foods rich in essential vitamins like oranges or bananas for an energy boost.
Get Some Rest
It goes without saying that sleep is key for recovering from any type of alcohol-induced fatigue.
Your body needs rest to fight off exhaustion and give it time to heal itself; plus, sleeping will help reduce any nausea you may be feeling post-tequila bender.
If napping isn’t an option for you due to work or school commitments then try taking short breaks throughout the day instead so that you can recharge quickly and be productive again soon afterward.
Final Thoughts
Overall, while drinking too much of any type of alcoholic beverage can lead to a hangover the next day, drinking tequila may be slightly less likely due to.
Whether or not tequila gives you a hangover depends on how much and what type of tequila you drink.
If you stick with 100% agave brands and don’t overindulge, then there is a good chance that you won’t get a hangover at all.
Just remember to practice responsible drinking habits for the best results – your body will thank you later.
