Does Drinking Alcohol Through A Straw Really Speed Up Its Effects?
So, what's your drink of choice? If you enjoy having a beer, glass of wine, or even a cocktail after work or when out with friends, you probably have your usual go-to order. According to Statista, you're not alone. The United States reached over $222 billion worth of alcoholic beverage sales numbers in 2020, meaning a lot of drinks are poured each year.
As you grow older and become more seasoned with alcohol, you've probably heard a number of alcohol-related myths to follow. It's kind of like a rule book of alcohol drinking tips and tricks to avoid all those hangovers the next morning. You've probably heard of the classic "beer before liquor, never been sicker" motto and been advised to never break the seal while drinking. You've likely heard that red wine is healthy for your heart and a whole bunch of other rules and facts. But how true actually are these and who the heck even made these up?
Another popular one we've been hearing lately involves straws. Does drinking through a straw help get you drunker, faster? Let's see what the science and data have to say.
Sometimes, depending on how fast you drink
What's the main reason you drink any beverage with a straw? Oftentimes, it's to give yourself an easier way to drink it. If you think about it, when drinking any beverage with a straw, the newfound ease of drinking it may cause you to drink the beverage faster. In this case when it comes to an alcoholic drink, then this makes sense. The faster you drink it, the faster you'll feel its effects and you'll be "drunk" at a quicker pace (via The Takeout).
Additionally, drinking alcohol through a straw can even make you drink more alcohol without realizing it (via Healthline). Why do you think most bars and music venues give out straws with their drinks? It could be an easy, coy way for them to get people to drink more drinks at a faster rate, thus more bar sales. On the other hand, drinking through a straw has been deemed more sanitary to avoid putting your mouth on a can, bottle, or glass from a restaurant. Additionally, drinking from a straw can help prevent cavities and helps with the offset of discoloration of your teeth since the liquid is getting pulled into the back of your mouth behind your front teeth (via Healthline). So pick your poison carefully the next time you order a cheap mixed drink at the bar.