Is it True? Can Drinking Coffee Help Reduce Your Blood Alcohol Level?
Do you ever find yourself at a party wondering what to do about an increasing blood alcohol level? The idea that drinking coffee could help reduce it has been floating around for some time now. To help answer your questions honestly and accurately, we’ll look at the facts behind this popular claim.
The first thing to understand is that coffee will not magically lower your blood alcohol level. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), blood alcohol level is determined by how much alcohol you’ve consumed, not how much coffee you’ve drunk. So, while drinking coffee may make you feel more alert, it won’t in any way counteract the effects of alcohol.
However, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), drinking coffee may help you make better decisions about how much alcohol you should drink. Caffeine has been found to increase alertness and reduce the risk of unconsciousness, which could help you avoid dangerous intoxication.
On the other hand, even if you do drink coffee after consuming alcohol, you should still be wary of drinking too much. According to the CDC, it takes around one hour to process one standard alcoholic drink. Drinking coffee after alcohol consumption may help you stay within your limits, but it won’t shorten the time it takes for your body to break down and process the alcohol.
It’s also important to remember that, while caffeine may help reduce the effects of alcohol, it can also make those effects worse if consumed in large amounts. The National Institutes of Health points out that drinking too much caffeine can lead to feelings of anxiety, insomnia, and dizziness.
The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Coffee
It is important for consumers to be aware of the potential dangers of mixing alcohol and coffee. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, combining the two substances can create a more intense effect, with higher blood alcohol levels and greater risk of intoxication. This can lead to reckless behavior and risky decisions, so it is important that you remain aware of your limits when consuming alcohol and coffee.
Another danger of mixing alcohol and coffee is that coffee itself is a diuretic, which means that it can increase the rate at which your body dehydrates. The National Institutes of Health warns that this can lead to an unpleasant morning after, with feelings of nausea, dizziness, and headaches.
Alternatives to Mixing Alcohol and Coffee
If you’re looking for alternative ways to counteract the effects of alcohol, there are a few solutions you could try. For example, the CDC recommends that you drink water or other non-alcoholic beverages along with your alcoholic drinks. Eating before and during drinking is also recommended, as it helps your stomach absorb alcohol more slowly.
Your body also needs time to recover from alcohol. Make sure to get plenty of rest after drinking and avoid mixing different types of alcohol and mixing alcohol and energy drinks. The CDC also recommends that you avoid drinking heavily or regularly, as too much alcohol can be damaging to your health.
Conclusion
So, can drinking coffee help reduce your blood alcohol level? The answer is no – it will not counteract the effects of alcohol in any way. However, it may help you make better decisions and remain alert when drinking, and if you don’t overdo it on the caffeine, drinking coffee can reduce the risk of overdosing on alcohol. Alternatives such as drinking water and taking regular breaks from drinking should also be considered. Just remember to always remain aware of your limits and drink responsibly.
