Do Women React to Alcohol Differently?

Many researches have been conducted relating alcohol and how it affects our bodies. Our susceptibility to it was tested and analyzed in many aspects – ethnic/racial background, age and even natural eye and hair colour among many other parameters. But how does it affect the genders, particularly women compared to men as another reference? It may be a bit sexist, but there is full-proof biology behind the facts, so let’s see why women drink and what are the benefits as well as risks when it comes to their constitution, resilience and psychology?

Drinking habits
No matter the sexes, the positive side to consuming this type of beverage is all the same: to relax, to relieve stress, to loosen up, to gain confidence, to socialize with ease and to go to sleep. Drinking in moderate, controlled amounts is beneficial primarily for the mind, while physically it can also be nurturing and healthy, depending on the drink, of course. However, the bad side to it all tends to affect women more which can lead to health issues, accidents and even death.

Yes, it is all individually relative, but the causes of alcohol abuse are definitely different compared to men’s. Women are more likely to drink if they have problems with the loved one; those who are unmarried, divorced or separated are more prone to alcohol; being sexually abused can lead to excessive drinking; and even teenage girls have been known to drink at a higher rate than boys.

The biology behind it
If both a man and a woman drank the same amount of alcohol at the same time, the effect will undeniably differ, mainly because women are usually physically smaller, have less water in their bodies and metabolize alcohol slower. It is all in the brain and the liver and how we expose them to our drinking choices. Even if a woman may drink less than a man, the level of impairment they experience can easily be the same. Consequently, it’s much easier for women to develop liver damage and other health issues which are related to alcohol, no matter if the quantity of drinks they consume is lesser.

The benefits
Women over the age of 55 can lower the risk of heart disease with one to two drinks per day. One drink can be considered either a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce bottle of beer or a 1.5 ounce of a spirit or hard liquor. Everything above it is considered to backfire by increasing the risk of heart diseases, especially if the woman is younger than the threshold of 55. Supply yourself with quality drinks from bottle shops in Sydney, make sure to have a good time, surround yourself with a good attentive company and stay away from driving. Once again, it’s all in the moderation.

The risks
Too much consumed alcohol is clearly hazardous for both men and women. The only things that differs is how it particularly affects the body. In female case, risk of breast cancer and head and neck cancer rises. It also kills more brain cells due to heightened susceptibility than men. Alcohol can have immensely harmful consequences on the unborn child during pregnancy and no amount is safe whatsoever. Women with alcohol problems can easily become victims of sexual assault and on top of this violent social malady, it can also contribute to depression, insomnia, poor nutrition and heart failure.

Remember, not all consequences of alcohol consumption are that bad, let alone grim. Many great ideas have been conjured after a couple of drinks, many business deals have been struck, new friendships have been made and even new loves have blossomed. The point is to be aware of the alcohol effect, how to behave when under the influence and how to help someone when they overdo it. Learn how to enjoy your drink, no matter if you’re a man or a woman.