Sweet science reveals that women experience harsher hangovers compared to men, a seemingly unjust finding.
In a fascinating discussion that has since garnered global attention, the topic of women's alcohol processing and hangovers was recently explored on ITV's Lorraine, featuring resident doctor Dr Amir. This conversation has shed light on the biological differences between men and women that contribute to women experiencing worse hangovers.
The primary reason for this difference lies in the lower amounts of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), an enzyme responsible for breaking down alcohol, found in women's bodies. This means that alcohol stays longer in their system, causing more pronounced effects and subsequent hangovers. Additionally, women have less total body water, which concentrates alcohol in their blood, increasing intoxication and hangover severity.
Oestrogen, a female sex hormone, also plays a significant role in alcohol metabolism. Higher oestrogen levels can make alcohol dehydrogenase more efficient at breaking down alcohol. However, because oestrogen levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, a woman’s susceptibility to a hangover changes. For instance, during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle when oestrogen levels rise, women may break down alcohol more effectively and suffer less severe hangovers. Conversely, lower oestrogen levels later in the cycle may worsen hangovers.
These factors combine to make women more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. Dr Amir suggests that lower oestrogen levels in women can make it more difficult for them to enjoy the same amount of alcohol as they did in their younger years due to less efficient alcohol breakdown and increased likelihood of hangovers. Interestingly, the same alcohol-related tendencies hold true after menopause.
In summary, women's lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme result in slower alcohol metabolism, leading to longer alcohol presence in the body and worse hangovers. The lower total body water in women results in higher blood alcohol concentration for the same amount of alcohol consumed, increasing intoxication and hangover risk. Furthermore, oestrogen modulates enzyme activity, varying alcohol breakdown efficiency and hangover severity depending on the menstrual cycle phase.
This insightful discussion on women's alcohol processing and hangovers has sparked a global conversation, shedding light on the unique challenges women face when it comes to alcohol consumption and its aftermath. It serves as a reminder for women to be mindful of their alcohol intake and to take extra precautions to minimise the risk of hangovers.
The unique biological differences in women contribute to their sensitive response to alcohol, as lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase and less total body water in their bodies result in slower alcohol metabolism, longer alcohol presence, and increased risk of hangovers. These changes can also affect mental health, as oestrogen levels, which modulate enzyme activity during the menstrual cycle, influence efficiency of alcohol breakdown and hangover severity, with potential implications on women's health-and-wellness, especially during menopause.
