Why Does My Stomach Hurt When I Drink?

Have you ever found yourself nursing a glass of wine, or sipping on your favorite beer, only to be greeted with an unpleasant sensation in your stomach — an unfriendly ache that has you doubling over, wondering if alcohol was the perpetrator?

Many of us have been there: planning a relaxed, stress-free evening, only to be interrupted by a sharp or dull pain in the stomach. It feels like our bodies are betraying us, right? But, in fact, there is a scientific reason for stomach pain — and understanding it may be the key to keeping our stomachs happy and avoiding this discomfort in the future.

The 6 Main Causes of Stomach Pain After Drinking

The relationship between alcohol and our digestive system is, well, complicated. We sip our favorite drink, it swirls around in our mouth for a bit, then travels down our esophagus and lands in our stomach, the first stop on a tumultuous ride.

1. Stomach Acid

The stomach — equipped with acid and enzymes — is our body's initial processing plant for everything we ingest. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid, a process termed gastric acid secretion.

Why should we care about a little extra acid? Well, this uptick in stomach acid can irritate the stomach lining, leading to inflammation of the stomach. The extra acid can also back up into the esophagus, causing acid reflux.

2. Changes in the Gut Microbiome

The other stomach mischief alcohol can make has to do with our gut microbiome — the community of trillions of bacteria living in our digestive tract, which plays a vital role in our overall health. Alcohol can alter this microbiome, adding to the discomfort we feel when drinking. It can harm beneficial bacteria and allow harmful bacteria to thrive. These shifts in our gut microbiota can lead to digestive discomfort, bloating, and increased gut permeability — leaky gut syndrome — which allows toxins to enter our bloodstream. This microbial mayhem might explain why we sometimes feel off after a night of indulging.

3. Alcohol and Malabsorption

On top of wreaking havoc on our stomach lining and microbiome, alcohol can also impact our intestines' ability to absorb nutrients, a condition known as malabsorption. Studies show that alcohol inhibits the absorption of vital nutrients such as thiamine, folic acid, and zinc, leading to deficiencies that can exacerbate our discomfort and have long-term health consequences.

4. Alcohol and Gastritis

Over time, the irritation caused by alcohol can lead to alcoholic gastritis — an inflammation of the stomach lining that can be very uncomfortable and painful. Alcoholic gastritis often manifests as a burning pain in our stomach, nausea, and sometimes vomiting — symptoms we've probably blamed on a hangover more than once. To learn more about alcoholic gastritis, check out “​​Can Alcohol Cause Gastritis?”

5. Alcohol and Stomach Ulcers

When that protective lining sustains too much damage, we can end up with stomach ulcers. Known as peptic ulcers, these are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach. While the most common causes of stomach ulcers are infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol is a known risk factor that can exacerbate or contribute to the formation of ulcers.

6. Alcohol and The Elusive IBS

And finally, there’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Anyone who has experienced it knows it's no walk in the park. The link between IBS and alcohol is complex, but many people with IBS experience worsening symptoms after drinking. Scientists have suggested that alcohol could contribute to IBS by altering gut motility, exacerbating visceral hypersensitivity, and causing gut inflammation. So, that extra glass of wine might be why we're making frequent bathroom trips or struggling with cramps and bloating.

How To Get Quickly Rid of Stomach Pain After Drinking

Is there anything we can do to get rid of stomach pain after drinking? Here are some tips to try:

• Hydrate. The dehydrating effects of alcohol make the problam much worse, so maker sure to replenish with plenty of water.
• Sip ginger tea. With its well-known anti-nausea properties, ginger is the go-to for many when it comes to easing stomach discomfort quickly.
• Rest. It’s simple, but powerful — take it easy for a few hours as you recover. Your body deserves a bit of a break.
• Take over-the-counter meds. Antacids can help neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief. However, make sure to read the instructions, as some medications may not be recommended after alcohol consumption.

How To Avoid Stomach Pain From Drinking Alcohol

Now that we've discovered the causes of alcohol-induced stomach discomfort, we can better understand why our seemingly innocent drinking can wreak havoc on our insides. 

The good news? Our drinking habits are well within our control to change. Understanding how alcohol interacts with our bodies is a critical first step in making more informed choices about our drinking habits. A delicate balancing act of drinking alcohol in moderation and considering both our eating habits and the types of drinks we consume can make a world of difference in avoiding that pesky stomach discomfort, acid reflux, and ulcers.

Moreover, there are some specific tips that can help keep alcohol-related stomach troubles at bay:

• Avoid consuming alcohol on an empty stomach. It’s a misconception that food will "slow down" the effects of alcohol. Actually, that’s a good thing. In reality, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach irritates our stomach lining. Our stomach was never designed to handle alcohol alone. It thrives on a complex mix of nutrients — carbs, proteins, and fats — which help protect and nourish it. The next time you think about grabbing a drink, it may be better to pair it with some food to ease the burden on your stomach.
• Say no to binge drinking. Binge drinking — consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short span of time — can increase the production of stomach acid, leading to inflammation, and, in severe cases, stomach ulcers. The World Health Organization defines binge drinking as consuming six or more standard drinks in a single occasion, which equates to about three 12-ounce beers, or three 5-ounce glasses of wine. Unfortunately, these are quantities many of us consume without even realizing it, especially during social events. Cutting back on the alcohol and drinking water between alcoholic beverages can help us avoid this discomfort.
• Don’t mix alcohol with fizzy drinks. We might love that refreshing tanginess that comes with a cocktail mixed with a fizzy drink, but our stomach? Not so much. Fizzy drinks increase the rate of alcohol absorption in our stomach. We get drunk faster, and we also increase our risk of stomach irritation. Instead, could consider mixing alcohol with non-carbonated mixers to avoid this discomfort.
• Limit high-alcohol-content drinks. Hard liquors (such as whiskey, vodka, and rum) are known for their high alcohol content. But these drinks are also harder on our stomachs, which aren't designed to handle concentrated amounts of alcohol. These spirits might be efficient for a quick buzz, but the aftermath often includes an angry stomach. Opting for drinks with a lower alcohol content, like beer or wine, can be a more stomach-friendly choice.
• Watch your pace. When we drink too quickly, it doesn't give the stomach enough time to process the alcohol. The quicker we drink, the faster alcohol enters our bloodstream, irritating our stomach lining. Slowing down can help to avoid these painful repercussions.

Ultimately, our bodies are incredible machines that work constantly to keep us healthy. Sometimes, the discomfort we experience is a signal that we need to make better choices.

Research has shown that even small reductions in alcohol consumption can significantly improve digestive symptoms and overall health. A 2021 study published in Alcohol and Alcoholism found that individuals who reduced their drinking experienced an improvement in gut health and reduction in inflammation markers. How's that for motivation?

We should consider strategies like setting drinking limits, choosing alcohol-free days, or exploring tasty non-alcoholic beverages. Every step we take, no matter how small, brings us closer to improved health and wellness.