In ancient times and places where potable water was scarce and people drank alcoholic beverages for substance, how were the people not dehydrated and hung over all the time?

Question

In ancient times and places where potable water was scarce and people drank alcoholic beverages for substance, how were the people not dehydrated and hung over all the time?

In: Biology

Answer 1

While a lot of what people have pointed out, lower abv ect., are true. A lot of the aristocracy, including the founding fathers, drank enough to make a frat boy question if it was a good idea. Workers where given given a small amount of alcohol in colonial times. And they would supplement that with stills. However, a lot of the landed gentry would have a solid buzz going at all times.