On a typical night out, the rhythm of drinking can be hard to control. Rounds arrive quickly, glasses are topped up before they’re empty, and intentions to “take it slow” often dissolve by the second or third drink. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself waking up with a dreaded hangover the next morning.

A drinking trend known as “zebra striping” promises to help you reduce the negative effects of alcohol on a night out. The idea is simple: after having a glass of wine or a pint of beer, reach for a soft drink or glass of water for the next round, before having your next alcoholic drink.

Recent market insights suggest that this practice is becoming increasing popular in the UK, with 34% of adults reporting they’ve tried zebra striping in 2025. But while this may help you pace yourself better, it’s by no means a hangover cure.

A useful pacing strategy

The human body metabolises alcohol at a relatively fixed rate – roughly one standard UK unit (a small glass of wine, single spirit measure or half pint of beer) per hour. Drinking faster than this raises your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), leading to intoxication and increasing other physiological stresses on the body.

By alternating non-alcoholic alternatives with alcoholic........

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