Necking down a tequila shot sounds tempting. Most probably, you’ll experience a hangover in the morning, and you would wish to get alcohol completely out of your system, but it’s gonna take a little time to feel sober again.
Alcohol is a must-have beverage enjoyed almost in all cultures. Whether it’s a cold beer or a glass of red wine, it is hard to keep your urge in control. Alcohol, with all its temporary benefits, like providing a sense of relaxation and comfort, might harm you later in the long run.
So, it’s best to get it out of your system ASAP. There are several ways you can do that. Flushing it out with urine is the most common one. Other ways include removing alcohol through sweat and breath.
The alcohol is metabolized in the liver, and the harmful toxins are flushed through urine. Continue reading the article to know how to flush the alcohol out of your system, especially through urine, and some other methods that might help speed up the process.
Factors that Affect Alcohol Elimination
Before you try to remove alcohol from your body, you should know that there are different factors that may speed up or slow down the process. So the elimination may last longer for someone, while others may sober up fast.
Gender and Age
Women tend to have lower water body content. As a result, their bodies absorb alcohol more quickly than men, and they feel drunk after downing 3-4 shots. Due to a slower metabolism, it may take longer for women to remove toxins from the body through urine than men.
Your ability to break down alcohol reduces with age. Young individuals can remove alcohol from their system way faster than old folks.
Weight
When it comes to alcohol, size matters; a person with a higher body mass (weight) will have more water to dilute alcohol in the body than a lightweight person. As a result, BAC reading for a heavyweight person would be less than for a person with low body mass.
Food Intake
How much your body absorbs alcohol depends on the food you consume. Drinking on an empty stomach is never such a good idea. High levels of BAC can be lowered by taking healthy meals before, during, and after the drinking session. Without food in your belly, alcohol will reach your bloodstream within 10 minutes as compared to a full stomach which takes a minimum of 3 hours.
The more you eat, the lower the absorption of alcohol in your system and the faster the flush-out process.
Amount and Type of Alcohol Consumed
If you consume too much alcohol, then it will definitely take hours to get it out of your system. The ABV also affects how fast your body metabolizes alcohol. For instance, if you drink a can of beer, your body will remove toxins more quickly as compared to a shot of vodka with a higher ABV.
Can You Flush the Alcohol Out of Urine?
It’s true; in general, you can flush out alcohol through urine. Alcohol being diuretic, increases the amount of urine produced in the body. Running to the washroom is common when you chug a few cans of beer. But in the end, your body feels dehydrated and exhausted. Check out the most important methods to avoid dehydration and get rid of alcohol from your system faster.
Stay Hydrated with Water
If you enjoy drinking alcohol every now and then, it’s a good idea to keep a small bottle of water with you all the time. Water helps dilute alcohol in the body and helps you flush out the byproducts of alcohol in a natural and quicker way. On average, healthcare professionals suggest drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day; however, if you are planning to party, you might consider increasing your water intake.
Experts highly recommend drinking plenty of water before and after a drinking session to keep your liver and kidney health. Dehydration due to alcohol may cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. You might also feel irritated and lethargic due to dehydration.
Take Lots of Fluids
If you think drinking too much water will make you vomit, then you can try other beverages as well. The point is to keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids. Other drinks that will help you fight dehydration and help get rid of harmful alcoholic contents from your system may include:
- Fruit Juices
- Herbal Tea, Ginger Tea, and Chamomile Tea
- Coconut Water
- Sports/Energy Drinks
- Soups/Broths
All of these drinks help restore electrolytes and necessary nutrients in your body and promote hydration.
Detox Drinks
Detox drinks are highly preferred by nutritionists as they are the easiest method to cleanse your liver. However, don’t be fooled by some of the low-quality detox drinks available in the market.
You can prepare your detox drink at home. You can combine a few ingredients with water to make your very own detox drink, like cranberry juice, lime, ginger, and mint. Black coffees and smoothies also fall in the category of detox drinks.
How long does alcohol stay in your body?
It takes your liver an hour to metabolize 1 standard drink. Once it goes down your system, it enters your bloodstream rapidly, especially if consumed on an empty stomach. The alcoholic components remain in your system for a few hours before being completely flushed out. It takes approx 15-45 minutes for its effects to kick in, depending on the amount and type of drink consumed.
A urine test can detect alcohol hours after all the toxins have been flushed out from your body. Your alcohol consumption might be detected if you take the test within 48 Hours. Even though your body eliminates alcohol in a few hours, its effects, like headaches and hangovers, might appear after it wears off.
What are Other Ways to Flush the Alcohol Out of Your System?
Heavy drinking will take longer to wear off and pass through urine. The best option is to give time to fully metabolize the alcoholic contents. Saying that, these methods might also be useful if you wanna get alcohol out of your system fast.
Exercise
Exercise keeps your mind and body alert. Engaging in physical activities will cause you to sweat more, thereby removing alcohol from your body. But make sure to drink plenty of water so that you don’t suffer dehydration.
Eat Healthy Food
Consume food rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins. Avoid eating processed foods as it can worsen the condition. Supplements can also help restore your body to a healthy state.
Take Advice From Health Care Professional
If you’re in bad health, your body will have a hard time breaking down alcohol. If your condition gets worse and you start noticing signs of severe AUD consult a doctor.
Rest
This is the best way to get rid of toxins in your body. Let your body relax and lay down for a few hours. Give time to your system to metabolize alcohol on its own.
Summary
No matter how hard you try, your day is not complete without a can of cold beer. The best way to avoid the side of alcohol is to drink in moderation. The less you consume alcohol, the less damage to your liver and kidneys will endure.
You can try out different options like exercise, eating healthy food, and taking detox drinks, but the most accurate way to flush out alcohol with urine is to rest and drink enough water that could cleanse your liver. Healthy and sober living should be your top priority.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
