Arielle Cruz
Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and cause inflammation throughout the body, leading to gastritis and other stomach-related issues such as nausea and acid reflux. While there is no quick cure for a hangover, there are several ways to calm a queasy stomach. It is recommended to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or antacids. Drinking water or other non-alcoholic beverages can help prevent dehydration, and it is important to avoid fatty, sugary, or spicy foods that can upset the stomach further. In the case of severe illness or alcohol poisoning, immediate medical attention is required.
How to calm a queasy stomach from alcohol
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Limit alcohol consumption | Avoid alcohol or replace it with sparkling water, soda, kombucha, juice, or other non-alcoholic beverages |
| Eat | Eat plain carbs or bland foods to settle your stomach and raise your blood sugar |
| Stay hydrated | Drink water, broth, sports drinks, ginger tea, or electrolyte beverages |
| Medication | Take antacids, ginger, or small doses of acetaminophen (paracetamol) to reduce nausea and settle your stomach |
| Rest | Get enough sleep to counteract fatigue |
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What You'll Learn
Eat plain carbs to settle your stomach
If you're feeling queasy after a night of drinking, eating plain carbohydrates can help settle your stomach. This is because alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and cause gastritis, leading to nausea and vomiting.
Consuming plain carbs is a well-known home remedy to alleviate these symptoms. Carbohydrate-rich foods provide your body with energy and can help balance blood sugar levels, which tend to dip after drinking due to alcohol's depleting effect.
The BRAT diet—consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—is often recommended for upset stomachs. These bland foods are easy to digest and can help settle your stomach without aggravating it further. They also contain carbohydrates, which can aid in reducing nausea and boosting blood sugar levels.
Other good options for plain carbs include crackers, which are also part of the BRAT diet, and sweet potatoes. It's worth noting that while crackers are a quick and convenient option, they may be high in salt, which can worsen bloating and fluid retention caused by alcohol. On the other hand, sweet potatoes are a great source of complex carbohydrates, which take longer to break down and can help minimize blood sugar spikes and crashes.
In addition to eating plain carbs, staying hydrated is crucial. Alcohol can cause dehydration, so drinking water or electrolyte-enhanced beverages can help replenish lost fluids and minerals.
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Stay hydrated with water, broth, or sports drinks
Staying hydrated is a key part of managing a hangover and calming your stomach. Alcohol irritates the stomach lining, causing inflammation and excess acid, which can lead to gastritis. Drinking water, broth, or sports drinks can help to soothe your stomach and rehydrate your body.
Water is a simple and effective way to rehydrate, and it is readily available. Drinking enough water will help to reduce the feelings of nausea and mild stomach pain that often accompany a hangover. It is important to keep drinking water until your urine is clear, as this is a sign that your body is well-hydrated.
Broth is another good option to stay hydrated and also get some nutrients into your body. The salt in broth can help to replenish electrolytes, which are often depleted after a night of drinking. It is also gentle on the stomach and can help to settle it.
Sports drinks are designed to replenish fluids and electrolytes, so they can be a good choice to stay hydrated and replace what your body has lost. They often contain sugar, which can give you a boost of energy and help to raise your blood sugar, which alcohol can deplete.
In addition to these drinks, you can also try electrolyte drinks, which will help to replace lost electrolytes and balance your body's fluids. Ginger tea is another option, as ginger can help to reduce nausea.
Staying hydrated is an important step in managing a hangover and calming your stomach, but it is also important to rest, eat plain carbohydrates to settle your stomach, and take over-the-counter medication if needed.
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Take antacids, ginger, or peppermint to reduce nausea
Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and cause nausea. To calm your stomach, you may want to try taking antacids, ginger, or peppermint, which are known to reduce nausea.
Antacids
Antacids, such as Tums, can help with heartburn and acid reflux by neutralizing stomach acid. However, they are not typically effective for nausea. If you are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux in addition to nausea, antacids may be worth trying, but be aware that they can cause side effects like constipation or gas.
Ginger
Ginger is often recommended for its stomach-settling effects and is a proven way to naturally treat nausea and vomiting. Its medicinal properties are attributed to gingerol, the main bioactive component in fresh ginger. Shogaols, which contribute to the root's pungent taste, are more concentrated in dried ginger. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and may improve digestion and support the release of blood-pressure-regulating hormones, helping to calm your body and reduce nausea.
Research supports the use of ginger to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting caused by various conditions. One study found that ginger was more effective than Dramamine, a drug used for motion sickness, at reducing nausea. Another study observed that giving sailors 1 gram of ginger reduced seasickness. Ginger has also been shown to reduce nausea after chemotherapy.
Pregnant women should be cautious when using ginger. While taking less than 1,500 mg of ginger per day during the first and second trimesters does not appear to increase risks, doses above this amount may be less effective and have more adverse effects. Ginger supplements close to labor may worsen bleeding, so pregnant women, especially those with a history of miscarriage or clotting disorders, should avoid them.
Peppermint
Peppermint is another natural remedy that may help with nausea. It has been used for thousands of years as a health remedy, and both the leaves and the oil are used medicinally in teas, flavorings, or aromatherapy.
Research supports the use of peppermint to relieve nausea during pregnancy and after chemotherapy. A small 2019 study found that pregnant women who used peppermint aromatherapy twice daily for a week experienced less severe nausea. Similarly, a 2021 study found that cancer patients who used peppermint aromatherapy after chemotherapy had fewer and less severe episodes of nausea. Peppermint oil applied to a cool, damp washcloth and placed on the neck may also help with nausea after chemotherapy.
Peppermint can also be taken orally to help with nausea. One study showed that adding 40 drops of peppermint oil to a glass of water every eight hours following chemotherapy reduced the severity of nausea and vomiting. Additionally, taking peppermint capsules during the first three days of your period can reduce nausea associated with menstrual pain.
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Get rest and sleep to counteract fatigue
While sleep does not accelerate the elimination of alcohol from the bloodstream or reduce blood alcohol content, it does help your body metabolize alcohol more effectively. During sleep, your liver can break down alcohol without any new alcohol entering your system.
A good night's sleep won't prevent a hangover after a night of heavy drinking or cure it once you have one. However, it can help reduce the severity of your hangover symptoms. A study published in Nature and Sleep Science found that people who slept less after drinking tended to have worse hangovers. Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that shorter sleep not only increased hangover severity but also cognitive impairment.
Therefore, getting rest and sleep can help counteract fatigue after drinking alcohol. While sleeping, your body can continue to eliminate the lingering effects of alcohol. However, it's important to note that sleeping while intoxicated poses serious risks, especially after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. One significant danger is the risk of choking on vomit during unconsciousness. It's recommended to sleep in the recovery position to minimize this risk.
If you're experiencing fatigue after drinking alcohol, it's best to prioritize getting a full night of quality sleep. You can also take short "power naps" of less than 90 minutes to help you feel more rested without the brain fog associated with longer naps.
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Limit or stop alcohol consumption
If you are experiencing stomach issues due to alcohol consumption, it is best to limit or stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol irritates the stomach and can cause an increase in stomach acid, delaying your stomach from emptying. This can lead to inflammation or swelling of the stomach lining, a condition called gastritis. People with alcohol-related gastritis may experience acid reflux, nausea, and ulcers. Regular heavy drinking can also increase your risk of developing gastritis.
The only way to completely avoid stomach issues from alcohol is to stop drinking. However, if you still want to drink, there are some things you can do to minimize stomach aches. Before drinking, eat a meal to help reduce nausea and vomiting. During drinking, pace yourself and alternate alcoholic drinks with water or other non-alcoholic beverages. After drinking, eat plain carbohydrates to settle your stomach and raise your blood sugar.
In addition to these short-term remedies, there are also long-term strategies to limit your alcohol consumption. You can replace alcoholic drinks with booze-free alternatives such as sparkling water, soda, kombucha, or juice. These drinks are better for your gut than alcohol. You can also talk to your doctor about treatments that can protect your stomach if you frequently experience hangovers.
If you are experiencing severe or persistent stomach pain, it is important to seek professional medical help. Alcohol use can cause lasting damage to your gut, and sometimes lifelong management, including medications and reparative surgery, is required.
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Frequently asked questions
To calm your stomach after drinking too much alcohol, it is recommended that you drink lots of fluids, including water, to reduce dehydration. Get plenty of rest and take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or antacids to help settle your stomach.
You should avoid drinking more alcohol to "feel better". This will only make you feel worse when your blood alcohol levels return to zero. Avoid fatty, greasy, sugary, spicy, or dairy foods, as well as caffeinated beverages, for 24-48 hours after vomiting.
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can lead to gastritis, which can cause frequent stomach-related issues such as acid reflux, nausea, and ulcers. It is recommended that you limit or stop your alcohol consumption to treat gastritis.
