Coffee After a Hangover: Help or Hype?

Monika Vítková
Aug 13
2 min read

After a long night out, many people turn to a strong cup of coffee the next morning, hoping it will chase away their headache and kick-start the day. But does coffee really help cure a hangover—or does it just make things worse?

Let’s break it down.

The Hangover Reality

A hangover is your body’s way of dealing with alcohol overload. Symptoms like:

Headaches
Fatigue
Nausea
Dry mouth
Sensitivity to light and sound

…are usually caused by dehydration, low blood sugar, and disrupted sleep.

Now here’s the catch: coffee is a diuretic, which means it can actually make dehydration worse. So while your brain may crave caffeine, your body may need something else first—like water and electrolytes.

When Coffee Can Help

That said, coffee isn’t all bad after a night out. It can offer a few temporary perks:

Boosts alertness if you're feeling foggy or tired
Improves mood (thanks to the caffeine)
Masks bad breath caused by alcohol and dry mouth

So while it won’t cure your hangover, a well-brewed cup can help you feel more like yourself—at least on the surface.

What Coffee Won’t Do

It’s important to remember: coffee won’t “sober you up”, and it won’t rehydrate you. In fact, if you rely on coffee alone, you might feel even more drained as the caffeine wears off.

Plus, drinking coffee on an empty, sensitive stomach (after a night of alcohol) can lead to acid reflux or nausea—not exactly the pick-me-up you were hoping for.

What You Should Do Instead

If you’ve had a heavy night and want to feel better:

Rehydrate first – Water, coconut water, or rehydration salts are a must.
Eat something light – Toast, bananas, or eggs help restore balance.
Then have your coffee – Once you’ve had water and food, a small cup can help wake you up.

Final Verdict

Coffee isn't a miracle hangover cure. In fact, if you're already dehydrated, it can make things worse. But once you've had some water and a bite to eat, a cup of high-quality coffee can give you a gentle lift, improve your mood, and at the very least, help with that morning-after breath.

So enjoy it—but don’t rely on it to undo the night before.