What Vitamins Should You Take After Drinking Alcohol?
No vitamin or supplement is proven to prevent or cure a hangover: the NIAAA says none of the promoted remedies has been scientifically proven and only time cures a hangover. The vitamin that matters for regular heavy drinkers is thiamin (vitamin B1): the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements lists people with alcohol dependence among those most likely to lack it, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious thiamin deficiency, mostly affects people with alcoholism. Ask a doctor before taking supplements.
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Do vitamins help a hangover?
There is no proof that they do. The NIAAA says there is no cure for a hangover other than time, and that none of the remedies promoted online, supplements included, has been scientifically proven to be effective.
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) and heavy drinking
The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements lists people with alcohol dependence among the groups most likely to have trouble getting enough thiamin. A serious form of thiamin deficiency, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, mostly affects people with alcoholism and causes tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, severe memory loss, disorientation and confusion.
The recommended daily amount of thiamin for adults is 1.2 mg for men and 1.1 mg for women (NIH ODS). Most people get enough from food. The NIH advises talking with a health care provider about whether a supplement is right for you.
What to avoid after drinking
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): the NIAAA warns that alcohol and acetaminophen together can be toxic to the liver.
- Aspirin and ibuprofen: can increase acid release and irritate the stomach (NIAAA).
If you drink heavily most days
A thiamin pill does not make heavy drinking safe. Check your pattern with the NIAAA’s questions in our article on signs of an alcohol problem, and see the SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential).
People also ask
What vitamins should you take after drinking?
No vitamin is proven to cure a hangover (NIAAA). Regular heavy drinkers are at risk of thiamin (B1) deficiency; ask a doctor about a supplement.
What vitamin B should heavy drinkers take?
Thiamin (vitamin B1). The NIH lists people with alcohol dependence among those most likely to lack it; adults need 1.2 mg (men) or 1.1 mg (women) a day.
Do supplements prevent a hangover?
The NIAAA says no promoted remedy has been scientifically proven; only time cures a hangover.
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