Alcohol is a diuretic. It makes you lose fluids and electrolytes, especially sodium. That fluid loss is a big reason hangovers come with headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog.
Drinking plain water helps, but it doesn’t always fix the problem. Without electrolytes, your body may not retain the water efficiently. Rehydration works better when fluids and electrolytes are replaced together, which is where electrolyte drinks come in.
What Nuun Is
Nuun is best known for its effervescent electrolyte tablets. The Nuun Sport tablet is dropped into about 16 oz (475 ml) of water, where it dissolves into a lightly fizzy hydration drink.
It’s designed for workouts, heat, and sweaty days, but many people use it for hangovers because it delivers electrolytes without the heavy sugar load of traditional sports drinks. Tablets come in small tubes, making them easy to keep by the bed or toss in a bag.
Key Ingredients in Nuun (and Why They Help Hangovers)
Nuun Sport focuses on electrolytes rather than vitamins or stimulants.
Per tablet (mixed in ~16 oz water):
- Sodium (300 mg): The most important electrolyte for hangovers. Helps your body retain fluids and supports blood volume.
- Potassium (150 mg): Supports nerve and muscle function, which can feel off during a hangover.
- Magnesium (25 mg): Often linked to fatigue and headaches when low.
- Calcium (13 mg) & Chloride (40 mg): Support overall fluid balance.
- Sugar (1 g): Just enough for taste, far less than typical sports drinks.
- Calories: 15 per serving.
The fizz comes from bicarbonates and citric acid. This helps the tablet dissolve quickly but doesn’t magically improve hydration. Sweetness mainly comes from stevia, keeping sugar low and the drink lighter on a sensitive stomach.
Which Nuun Product Is Best for Hangovers
For hangovers, Nuun Sport (non-caffeinated) is the best fit.
Why:
- It provides a meaningful sodium dose.
- It’s low in sugar and calories.
- It’s not overloaded with vitamins that can irritate the stomach.
Caffeinated versions exist, but they’re usually not ideal when you’re already dehydrated or dealing with nausea. Vitamin-focused Nuun products are a different category and aren’t necessary for basic hangover recovery.
How to Use Nuun for a Hangover
Simple works best.
- Morning after: Drop one tablet into 16–20 oz of cold water and sip slowly.
- If it tastes too salty: Use more water with the same tablet.
- For mild hangovers: One tablet may be enough.
- For heavier dehydration: A second tablet later in the day can help, but it’s not a medical rehydration solution.
Pairing Nuun with light food (toast, eggs, soup) usually works better than drinking it alone.
How It Works
Nuun doesn’t “cure” a hangover. It supports recovery by addressing one of the main drivers: dehydration and electrolyte loss.
The sodium helps your body hold onto fluids instead of flushing them out. Potassium and magnesium support nerve and muscle function, which can reduce weakness and headache intensity. Low sugar keeps it easier to drink when your stomach feels off.
If your hangover is mainly dehydration-driven, Nuun can make a noticeable difference. If nausea, inflammation, or sleep loss are the main issues, hydration helps but won’t solve everything.
Nuun vs Other Hangover Drinks
Vs sugary sports drinks:
Nuun has far less sugar and fewer calories, making it easier to drink when you feel rough.
Vs plain water:
Water helps, but Nuun replaces electrolytes that water alone doesn’t.
Vs coconut water:
Coconut water has potassium but usually lacks enough sodium for effective rehydration.
Vs “hangover shots” or supplements:
Those often rely on vitamins or herbal blends. Nuun focuses on hydration, which is more consistently useful for most hangovers.
Bottom line
Nuun Sport is a solid, no-nonsense option for hangovers caused by dehydration. It won’t perform miracles, but its electrolyte profile, low sugar, and easy drinkability make it a practical choice—especially if you don’t tolerate thick, sweet sports drinks.