By: Lifestyle DeskNew Delhi | October 6, 2025 08:30 PM IST 3 min readMany people believe that drinking tea or coffee over alcohol can help a person get sober faster (source: pixabay)When it comes to sobering up after drinking alcohol, you’ll find an endless list of colourful hacks — some swear by curd, some recommend a bath, and others reach for spicy food. However, a particularly common belief is that having tea or coffee can help you sober up faster.Curious, we reached out to public health intellectual Dr Jagadish Hiremath to find out if this holds. The medical expert, however, busts the myth, clarifying that there is no scientific basis to suggest that the body metabolises alcohol any faster with caffeine.“Tea or coffee does not make the body metabolise alcohol any faster. The liver processes alcohol at its own pace, and caffeine cannot accelerate this process. At best, caffeine may temporarily reduce drowsiness and increase alertness, but it does not remove alcohol from the bloodstream,” explains Dr Hiremath.Story continues below this ad Caffeine may temporarily reduce drowsiness, increase alertness, and create a false sense of sobiety, but it does not remove alcohol from the bloodstream (source: pexels)In fact, the caffeine in these beverages may create a false sense of sobriety and mask alcohol’s depressant effects. As per a 2011 study by University of Waikato, caffeine also temporarily masks the motor-impairing effects of alcohol by blocking adenosine receptors involved in alcohol’s actions.So while a person may feel less tired or sluggish, and might not exactly wobble while moving, caffeine does not improve coordination, decision-making, or reaction times impaired by alcohol. People can underestimate their level of intoxication and engage in unsafe activities, like driving.Also Read | ‘Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can make you drunk within minutes but…’: Liver transplant surgeon explains the risks“A person may feel more alert than they actually are, which can lead to poor judgment, excessive drinking, and risky behaviour they would normally avoid,” he adds. Physiologically, caffeine can also increase strain on the heart and nervous system.The expert further explains that the only reliable way to sober up is to give the body enough time to metabolise alcohol. “Staying hydrated, eating light food, and resting can help with some symptoms, but nothing speeds up the actual clearance of alcohol from the system. The safest option after drinking is to avoid driving or operating machinery until enough time has passed,” Dr Hiremath advises.Story continues below this adDISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd