- By Prerna Targhotra
- Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:48 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Alcohol Harmful Effects For Men And Women: Have you ever noticed the difference between drinking qualities and the effects of alcohol in men and women? Male and female bodies produce different sets of hormones which is why they respond to situations in different ways. Something similar happens with alcohol consumption. Have you ever competed with a male friend over glasses of beer or shots? What were the results? Regardless of the results, one should always be mindful of their body's abilities for alcohol consumption.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Dilip Gude, Senior Consultant Physician, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad explained how and why alcohol is more harmful for women than men.
Watch the video below about how harmful is alcohol for liver:
Why Is Alcohol More Harmful For Women Than Men?
According to Dr Gude, for a similar amount of alcohol, women tend to have higher blood alcohol concentration(BAC) levels than men due to different levels of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase concentrations. This enzyme is known to be 50% more in men than in women. This results in at least 7% or more BAC in women compared to men of the same body weight. Also at a similar BMI, women’s body composition, fluid volume, and body fat may vary and this also contributes to higher BAC in women than in men.
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Higher body fat and lesser muscle mean that alcohol remains unmetabolized for a longer time and in higher concentrations in women than in men. Increased folic acid from chronic heavy drinking in women may accelerate their risk of cancers such as breast cancer. Alcohol-related liver disorders such as chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis from alcohol consumption happen at a faster rate in women than in men.
Why Is Alcohol More Harmful For Women Than Men (Image Credits: Canva)
Effects Of Alcohol Consumption In Women
- Alcohol also tends to cause hormonal imbalances, early menopause, and social and psychological effects far worse than that in men. Blood pressure levels in women tend to be in direct correlation with amounts of alcohol consumed and this correlation is stronger in women than in men.
- For similar amounts of alcohol consumed for similar periods of time, women tend to have greater liver and pancreas damage than men.
- Levels of impairment in judgement, cognition and communication tend to be higher with women consuming equal amounts of alcohol compared to men. Similarly, infertility rates are higher in women who consume alcohol regularly.
- Heart disease in women has also shown a direct relation with amounts of alcohol consumed which is higher than in men. If alcohol use is early on, women may experience irreversible effects on puberty and growth spurts as well.
- Alcohol is also known to adversely impact bone health in chronic women drinkers via Osteopenia, fractures from trivial trauma etc.
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Effects Of Consuming Alcohol During Pregnancy
According to Dr Gude, especially if alcohol is consumed during pregnancy a dangerous syndrome of foetal alcohol disorder can occur in the baby. Also abruptio placentae (early detachment of placenta and bleeding) risk increases in chronic drinkers. Chronic women drinkers are also known to be at higher sexual assault or domestic violence risk and the incidence of suicides, accidents may be doubled in them compared to men.