In order to save the student population from one massive hangover, I must dispel a myth in order for you guys to enjoy the most wonderful weekend of the year to its maximum potential.

Here goes: "Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear," is a myth. Yes my friends, it's not true.

The after effects of a long night of drinking actually have to do with the speed at which you drink and how much food you have taken in that day or are consuming at the same time, with a little bit of science thrown in the mix.

Chasing a shot of Captain with Coke can aggravate your stomach, leaving you feeling like death the following morning.

Carbonated drinks, like sparkling wine or pop like Coca-Cola or Pepsi, tend to irritate the lining of the stomach, increasing the rate of alcohol absorption, which in turn can lead to a massive hangover.

According to Olin Health Center educator Becky Allen, when you mix alcohol, like Captain and Coke, you are more likely to drink a few more drinks than you actually planned.

"There's no reason drinking one (alcohol) before the other or one (alcohol) after the other would make you sick, but one may encourage you to drink faster than the other would," she said.

If you think about it, how many people actually take the time to drunkenly measure out two perfect, 1.5 fluid-ounce shots to mix with their drink and then keep count of how many cocktails they throw back?

If you stick to the same type of alcoholic beverage throughout the night, like beer, which has the same proof and volume number, it makes you less likely to overdrink. So maybe beer pong really does serve a purpose in college lives.

Congeners, or chemical compounds, that create the taste and color of some types of alcohol, also might cause your hangovers. Darker drinks such as rum have more congeners but lighter-colored drinks such as vodka and gin could reduce the chance of a headache.

Maybe it's time for a new proverb, something along the lines of "If your drink is clear, have no fear."

But when you start mixing your beer with liquor or wine, you reduce your ability to pace yourself. More than likely if you begin thinking that it's OK to start mixing beer with liquor, you are at a point where you can stop drinking and just feel the buzz.

However, when there is food in the stomach, it slows the absorption of alcohol by stopping it from going directly to the small intestine, where it would be absorbed much faster.

Now I know you ladies out there have said, "I'm not eating all day so I can get messed up faster," which probably isn't the brightest idea you've ever had but, hey, it works. But it also leads to an unfriendly visit to the ivory throne.

I'm sorry to have to say this, but drinking more than your share of anything and feeling it the morning after is really the cause of those unhappy endings to a great night.

Eating and drinking water before, and even during, drinking will help you avoid that nasty hangover more effectively than watching the order in which you consume your alcohols.

Melanie Thomas is the State News health reporter. She writes about your body every Thursday in the lowdown. Reach her at thoma450@msu.edu.