Beer: more than a simple refreshing drink
We already know that enjoying a good beer with friends is one of the pleasures of life. But have you ever wondered why after a couple of drinks you feel the need to visit the bathroom more than a little boy during a long trip? You are not alone in this, and science has more curious answers than you think.
The magic of alcohol and your hormonite friend
Let’s start with the obvious: alcohol is the great culprit of our urgency of urinating as if we were in a race. The key is in a hormoncita called antidiuretic (ADH). Normally, this hormone helps your kidneys retain the water that your body needs. But when alcohol takes its triumphal walk through your Bloodstream, goodbye Adh! Without their help, your kidneys are forced to release more liquid than you would like.
What does this hormone do?
The ADH, produced in the hypothalamus, is like your personal guard in charge of regulating the water you retain. On a normal day, he does a fabulous job keeping everything in his place. But when alcohol arrives, it is as if they were thrown a surprise party: it inhibits its production and voilà, more urine!
The kidneys: the true filters
Now, let’s not forget the heroes of our history: the kidneys. These organs do incredible job, filtering approximately 180 liters of daily liquid. But when the alcohol lips the party button, its ability to retain water is compromised. So, every time you lift the glass, your kidneys are in party mode, expelling more and more liquid.
Breaking the equation
What further complicates the matter is hops, that ingredient that gives beer its distinctive bitter taste. It turns out that hops also have diuretic properties. It sounds to the fact that it could only exacerbate this phenomenon, carrying the urgency of going to the bathroom to new levels.
The dehydration trap
Surprisingly, even if you feel fresh while you drink beer, the combination of water and diuretic properties can make you finish drier than a desert. Therefore, it is not uncommon for you to get up at midnight with a thirst that could rival a camel.
The bladder: a guest limited to the party
Do not forget that our bladder has a limited capacity. There are 250 to 300 milliliters, approximately the volume of a can of beer. Therefore, every time you divide the pipe, you are adding more fuel to that urination machine.
Tips to keep the party without going through the bathroom all the time
The good news is that although you cannot avoid the urgency of urinating by consuming beer, there are strategies to reduce the frequency of your visits to the bathroom.
Hydration: The best saved secret
Alternate each beer with a glass of water. It might seem boring, but your bladder will thank you at the end of the night.
Moderation: the art of controlling the toast
Enjoy, but don’t make a marathon. The more alcohol, the more problems with the ADH and, therefore, the more bathroom.
Less is more: Avoid major disaster
Remember, a good party does not need to be a parade to the bathroom. If you drink consciously, you can enjoy the taste without having to make a constant trip to the throne.
One last cup
So, while you raise your glass, keep in mind that each sip can take a step closer to the bathroom. The combination of alcohol and his partner hops make your kidneys become the heroes of a constant battle against the bladder. Health and good luck in your expeditions to the bathroom!
