Drinking water after consuming alcohol serves no purpose in terms of expediting the sobering process. Regardless of the volume of water consumed, it does not facilitate a faster sobering process. It may offer some relief from hangover symptoms. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and can contribute to dehydration. As a result, you may find yourself needing to use the bathroom more frequently after consuming alcohol. Dehydration is also the reason why your face feels dry the day after drinking.

Water does not significantly aid in the elimination of alcohol from the body. The liver is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol, and water does not directly assist in its detoxification. Additionally, drinking ample water while taking medication rarely accelerates the excretion of the medication from the body.

Drinking water can dilute the concentration of the medication in the urine. This is why people taking antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs are recommended to drink at least four to six glasses of water a day. The idea is to dilute the concentration of the drug molecules in the urine to prevent the side effect of the drug forming crystals.

In the past, athletes indeed attempted to evade doping tests by using diuretics or consuming excessive amounts of water after drug abuse. However, the latest advancements in analytical techniques have made it increasingly difficult for them to escape detection. Moreover, in the case of drugs metabolized in the liver, such as alcohol, drinking water has minimal impact on the elimination of these substances from the body.

Nevertheless, some people claim that drinking water in between alcoholic beverages helps them feel less intoxicated. They can feel that way because drinking water or non-alcoholic beverages can reduce the amount of alcohol they drink. For people with alcohol dependence, it may even help reduce the desire to drink. In a 2017 study, a German research team examined hormone levels in 23 male alcohol-dependent patients. They compared participants who consumed 1,000 ml of mineral water on one side and no water on the other. The findings indicated that those who drank water exhibited reduced levels of hormones linked to alcohol cravings and a decreased desire to drink. This suggests that consuming water alongside alcohol may contribute to a slight reduction in alcohol consumption. Therefore, adopting the practice of drinking a glass of water after each alcoholic beverage could serve as a viable strategy to help limit alcohol intake.

There is no instant method to quickly sober up after consuming alcohol. Drinking coffee or caffeinated beverages may create the illusion of sobriety, but it does not impact the detoxification process of alcohol. A small study conducted in Canada in 2020 observed that accelerated breathing aided in the faster elimination of alcohol. However, this was achieved using a specialized device to induce hyperventilation and is not a practical option for post-drinking situations. So, there is only one option. Wait for your liver to eliminate all the alcohol. The body is honest and inflexible, and if you're worried about the aftermath, the only option is to not drink or drink less.

Jeong Jae-hoon is a food writer and pharmacist. He covers a variety of subjects, including trends in food, wellness and medications. This column was originally published in Korean in Joongang Ilbo on May 11, 2023. – Ed.