Which factor helps explain why women may become intoxicated faster than men?

• A. Body composition and metabolic differences.
• B. Drinking more frequently.
• C. Gender does not affect BAC.
• D. Women have larger livers.

Answer: (A)

Biological differences between women and men affect how alcohol is absorbed, distributed, and processed in the body. Women generally have a higher body fat percentage and lower total body water than men, so the same amount of alcohol stays in a smaller volume of water. This leads to a higher blood alcohol concentration more quickly. There’s also less alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the stomach for many women, meaning less alcohol is metabolized before it enters the bloodstream. Put together, these body composition and metabolic differences explain why women may feel intoxicated faster than men after the same amount of alcohol.

The other ideas don’t fit as well: drinking more often can influence tolerance over time but doesn’t explain the immediate rate of intoxication, gender does affect BAC, and liver size isn’t larger in women and isn’t the reason for the faster intoxication.