It's not just in your head
By Sammy Nickalls Updated February 13, 2018
EC: It's Official: Tequila Causes the Worst Hangovers
Credit: photo by Richard Theis / EyeEm via getty images
Tequila has a bit of a reputation. At every party, if tequila is broken out, you hear at least one person say "Oh god, keep that stuff away from me" or "Tequila makes me crazy." But it turns out that tequila is the most likely to lead you to absolute hangover hell—at least, according to a recent survey. Addictions.com polled 2000 Americans on their drinking habits, including which alcohol gave them the worst hangover. All people who participated in the study had to have been drunk at least one time in the last year. The study found that Americans ranked Tequila as the worst hangover of their lives at 22.94%, followed by vodka (20.82%), wine (17.02%), and whiskey (15.43%).
However, getting a nasty hangover isn’t the worst thing in the world—especially if you look at the results of this survey. Over one in three people surveyed said that they'd woken up naked after too many drinks--this time, most often because of beer, vodka, or wine. Meanwhile, 66 out of 2000 people got a tattoo while drunk, with four in five of those people saying it was because of beer.
But perhaps the stupidest thing you can do is most often influenced by tequila—in men, that is. Out of men who were arrested for DUI, most of them were drunk on tequila. For women, however, wine is the most common offender.
Check out the full survey here, and here are a few tips: Remember to drink plenty of water when you’re partaking in that cruel mistress called tequila. Use this nonalcoholic tequila chaser instead of a mixed drink. And if you end up waking up with a raging headache, do yourself a favor and buy yourself some LaCroix. You’re welcome.
FAQs
It's no secret that tequila can cause some of the worst hangovers around. Common symptoms of a tequila hangover include headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Fortunately, you can take steps to minimize the severity of a tequila hangover.
Which tequila is least likely to give you a hangover? ›
There is a reason why in-the-know drinkers swear by drinking premium, 100% agave tequila. Aside from their flavour subtleties, straight tequila possesses low sugar content, effectively minimising pounding headaches.
Is tequila or vodka better for hangovers? ›
But as it turns out, pound for pound, drink for drink, vodka is the least hangover inducing alcohol out there. Why? Well, it comes down to something called congeners. There are many types of congeners out there, ranging from methanol, to acetone, to tannins, and more.
What alcohol is most likely to cause hangover? ›
Congeners are found in larger amounts in dark liquors, such as brandy and bourbon, than in clear liquors, such as vodka and gin. Congeners are more likely to produce a hangover or make a hangover worse. But drinking too much alcohol of any color can still make you feel bad the next morning.
Why does tequila affect me more than other alcohol? ›
The alcohol molecule is the same in all types of alcoholic drinks. You may see it implied that there is something about tequila that makes people act differently that when they have a few beers or drink wine. This just isn't true, the alcohol in beer, wine, and tequila all affect the brain in the same way.
Why do I feel so bad after drinking tequila? ›
A person may experience sickness after drinking alcohol due to an intolerance or sensitivity to an ingredient. It may also be a sign of a hangover or result of a lack of water or sleep.
What alcohol gets you drunk but no hangover? ›
Choosing types of alcohol with fewer congeners—like beer, vodka and wine—might reduce your hangover symptoms compared to alcohols with higher congeners—like brandy, whiskey and rum.
What alcohol has the least worst hangover? ›
“Vodka is known to be the best alcoholic beverage for the most minimal hangover. Gin, light rum and white wine are runner-ups—with brandy and whiskey being at the bottom of the list.
What is the healthiest tequila to drink straight? ›
When it comes to tequila, the healthiest option is typically one that is made from 100% blue agave. This means that the tequila is made solely from the blue agave plant, without any added sugars or additives. These types of tequila are often labeled as "100% agave" or "100% blue agave."
What not to mix with tequila? ›
Don't Mix Milk or Dairy Products with Tequila
From a digestive standpoint, your stomach could turn into a washing machine in spin mode. Tequila, with its high alcohol content, does not go well with milk and your body is likely to let you know in the worst possible way.
How to Cure a Hangover Fast
- If only you could. There's simply no cure other than time for a hangover. ...
- Rehydrate with water or an electrolyte-rich sports drink. Drink slowly so you won't further upset your stomach.
- Eat. Food will help restore your blood sugar and can help you feel better. ...
- Take a nap.
Tequila is made from natural sugar, agave nectar, whereas other spirits can be distilled with refined sugars that may be high in calories or processed corn syrup. Quality tequila, like Casa Mexico Tequila, has no added preservatives or artificial colors. Tequila also contains fewer calories than many other spirits.
Does tequila give you a bad hangover? ›
Some Tequilas may have more congeners than others and, therefore, give slightly different intensity hangovers. Unfortunately, a no “hangover Tequila” doesn't exist. If you drink enough of any type of Tequila, even the purest Blanco you can find, you're guaranteed to wake up with a nasty hangover.
What are the worst drinks for hangovers? ›
Tequila, cognac, and whiskey are drinks high in congeners. Bourbon whiskey has a substantial amount of congeners, more than most other alcoholic drinks. Drinking alcoholic drinks high in congeners can give you an intense hangover.
What tequila does not give you a hangover? ›
To avoid a tequila hangover – stick to 100% Blue Agave tequila. Check bottle labels and check that it says it uses 'ONLY 100% Blue Agave'. If it doesn't have these words, then give it a miss.
Will tequila keep you up at night? ›
Tequila may have similar immediate effects as an opioid as it can seemingly alleviate pain during dopamine release, but it is not an opioid narcotic. Will a Shot of Tequila Keep Me Awake? A shot of tequila won't keep you awake. It might actually make you drowsy.
Does tequila get you drunk easily? ›
For those with a lower tolerance level, the effects of tequila can be felt after only one or two drinks. The general rule of thumb is you should start feeling moderately drunk after 3 drinks and totally drunk after 4-5 drinks within an hour.
Is tequila worse for your liver than beer? ›
Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.
