Scientists have found that clear liquors like vodka and gin cause fewer hangovers than dark ones such as whiskey and red wine. This is because darker alcoholic beverages contain more chemical congeners that our bodies have a hard time processing.

It is also recommended to drink water while drinking alcohol. This will help to hydrate the body and reduce symptoms such as dehydration and headaches.

Vodka

According to Instabooze, vodka is considered clean alcohol and doesn’t cause hangovers. You can drink it straight, on the rocks, or with soda or juice. However, you should try to limit your vodka consumption because it contains 40% alcohol.

You can also find vodka in many types of flavored drinks. The most popular flavors are citrus (whether it’s a single fruit or a combination) and vanilla. Other flavored vodkas include all types of berries, melon, and chocolate. There are even drinks that simulate the taste of foods like salmon, bacon, and hemp, though these tend to be novelties and don’t last long on the market.

While vodka is considered “clean” alcohol, the method of distillation can affect how many congeners it contains. Congeners are byproducts of the carbohydrate used for fermentation, whether that’s grains for beer, grapes for wine, or potatoes for vodka. The number of congeners can vary depending on how the alcohol is distilled, and they can influence the drink’s flavor, aroma, and appearance. The higher the concentration of congeners, the more likely it is to result in a hangover.

Darker alcoholic beverages, including whiskey and red wine, can cause hangovers more frequently than clear liquors. This is because they contain more of the chemically related compounds called phenols, including methanol. The body processes these phenols differently than ethanol, which can lead to worse hangover symptoms.

You can reduce your chances of getting a hangover by spacing out your drinks and limiting how much alcohol you consume in one sitting. You can also eat a meal or snack before drinking, advises Dr. Veach to ensure that you’re consuming enough nutrients to support your liver’s ability to process ethanol and the toxins associated with hangovers.

If you’re going out with a group of people, try to stick to one or two alcoholic drinks per hour and alternate them with water or another non-alcoholic beverage. This will help you pace your alcohol intake and allow your body to process it before bedtime when you’re less active.

Wine

When it comes to wine, it seems that moderation is key to avoiding a hangover. It’s believed that excessive tannins, dehydration, and acetaldehyde are to blame for hangover symptoms. It also depends on your alcohol tolerance and the type of wine you drink.

Sticking with low-alcohol wines like rose or white wine is best since they have lower alcohol content and less histamines. The lower tannins help prevent histamine release, which can cause allergies the next day. You’ll also want to stick with organic wines since they tend to have fewer preservatives.

If you love your wine, try to avoid sulfites, which can worsen your hangover by causing itchy eyes, headaches, and dizziness. It’s also a good idea to keep a water bottle close by to keep yourself hydrated.

When you do drink wine, opt for organic wines that have been grown without pesticides and preservatives. This will reduce your exposure to chemicals that can interfere with your sleep and lead to a hangover. In addition, it’s a good idea to drink wines with a lower alc since these have less alcohol and sulfite.

You can also opt for a lighter color wine since this will have fewer congeners, which are compounds that have been linked to hangovers. It’s also a good idea not to skip meals before you drink and to eat foods that are high in zinc and nicotinic acid, which have been shown to reduce hangover symptoms.

One final thing to remember is that it’s best to drink beer, wine, or mixed drinks—not shots—if you’re trying to stave off a hangover. Shots are typically more alcoholic than other beverages, which can be bad for your stomach. In addition, drinking a whole lot of shots can actually decrease your body’s natural hydration. This is because alcohol inhibits your antidiuretic hormone, which stops you from peeing as much, so you’re more likely to get dehydrated when you’re drunk.

Beer

When it comes to beer, the darker the brew, the more likely you are to experience a hangover. This is because darker beers contain more additives and impurities that can cause a hangover, including glycerol, histamines, and tyramines. This is why it’s a good idea to stick to lighter brews like lagers, pilsners, and Helles. Lighter beers also tend to have a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) than dark beers, making them less likely to give you a hangover.

While a hangover is caused by drinking too much alcohol, the severity of a hangover can vary from person to person. Some people can drink more than others without experiencing a hangover, while others are unable to get by even one sip of liquor without a hangover. The key to avoiding a hangover is to drink responsibly and space your drinks throughout the night. This will help you avoid dehydration and will allow your body to process the alcohol in a more controlled way.

Another important thing to keep in mind when drinking is that you should always eat before starting to drink. Eating a meal will cause your stomach to fill up and slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Drinking on an empty stomach can also lead to a worse hangover as it will cause your body to absorb the alcohol more quickly.

Lastly, using water mixers with your drinks rather than sugary mixes is a good idea, as these will cause your body to process the alcohol more quickly. This will also reduce the amount of toxins you absorb through your skin and lungs.

When it comes to spirits, vodka is considered the best for avoiding a hangover as it has the least number of congeners. However, gin, light rum, and white wine are also good choices. Avoid dark spirits, such as whiskey and brandy, as these are more likely to cause a hangover.

Mixers

Drinks with mixers like soda, juice, or a frozen margarita can increase your blood alcohol levels more quickly, causing a greater hangover than straight liquor. This is because the extra sugar in these drinks slows down your body’s ability to metabolize alcohol.

This isn’t to say that you should never indulge in a cocktail; just be aware of how much you’re drinking and what type of ingredients it contains. The best mixology options for a hangover-free night include low-sugar vodka mixes, light beer with no added colors or flavors, and dry wines without sulfites.

Depending on your taste, you can also enjoy wine with moderate tannins, such as Tempranillo or Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins in these wines help to break down the acetaldehyde, which can cause a hangover. Avoid cheap wines or those with added flavors, as these may contain more acetaldehyde congeners than higher-end bottles.

You can also reduce the severity of a hangover by consuming plenty of water and hydrating foods, such as vegetables and fruits. This is because alcohol inhibits your antidiuretic hormone, causing you to urinate more frequently and experience dehydration. Additionally, drinking more water can speed up your liver’s processing of ethanol and prevent the formation of toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism.

Another beverage that can help to prevent a hangover is sports drinks or Pedialyte. This is because they are scientifically formulated to maximize the rate at which your body absorbs fluid, making them a great way to hydrate after a night of drinking.

In general, your body can only metabolize about one ounce of hard alcohol per hour. So, if you consume more than this amount within an hour, you’re likely to get a hangover. This is especially true if you consume dark-toned spirits or whiskeys. These higher-congener, darker-colored beverages tend to have more severe hangovers than lighter-colored or clear spirits.

Bourbon is at the top of the list when it comes to alcohol congeners, but other whiskeys and bourbons are close behind. These types of whiskeys and bourbons are aged in charred oak barrels, which is why they have more congeners than other whiskies.