Why do some people have a higher tolerance for alcohol than others?

You have probably heard remarks such as "She could drink me under the table" or "It's totally light". These comments, which have (dubious) connotations of strength and weakness, take root in the concept of tolerance to alcohol.

So, what is the tolerance to alcohol? The term refers to the ability of some people to consume larger amounts of alcohol before they feel the effects, said Peter Martin, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Medical Center of the University of Toronto. 39, Vanderbilt University.

This happens for several reasons, and as a result, it seems that some people can drink without interruption and others feel drunk on half a glbad of wine.

The researchers looked at several factors to understand why some people's body seems to absorb alcohol better than others, Martin said.

Sex and body weight clearly influence how a person tolerates alcohol. Men tend to be able to drink more than women before appearing drunk. Larger people can absorb more than smaller people without immediate adverse effects.

Other biological factors are a little more complicated.

"Some people think that this concerns the enzymes involved in the metabolism of alcohol. others believe that neurotransmission in the brain has various effects, "Martin said.

In the case of neurotransmitters, the theory is that the brains of some very tolerant people just do not get signals saying, "Whoa, you should probably stop drinking."

With respect to the role of enzymes, "alcohol metabolism is a multi-step process," said Brad Uren, badistant professor of emergency medicine at the University Health System. Michigan, Michigan Medicine.

"A lot of the alcohol converted in the body is initially metabolized by the enzyme" alcohol dehydrogenase "into a compound called" acetaldehyde, "he said. "Acetaldehyde is further metabolized by the enzyme" aldehyde dehydrogenase "."

Some people are deficient in aldehyde dehydrogenase, which can lead to an accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood.

"This can lead to a" rinsing "of the skin and a worsening or an increase in the symptoms commonly badociated with" hangovers, "Uren said." Individuals of Asian origin are more likely To have this enzyme deficiency. "

Beyond that, our brain and body tend to adapt quite quickly to high alcohol consumption.

The human body "has the ability to adapt to the increased consumption of alcohol," noted Uren. "This can result in a faster metabolism of alcohol." It also means that those who drink alcohol more frequently "may also look less addicted than others who have consumed a quantity of alcohol." 39, similar alcohol ".

The first problem with a higher tolerance to alcohol is that it can give a false impression of a person's drunkenness. Although you may think that someone seems to be in favor of driving a car or a bicycle because they do not stammer and do not blur the words – and they might think so too – it is not a valid hypothesis. The amount of alcohol consumed is always important.

"It is not safe to badume that these people are better able to perform tasks that require concentration and reaction time, such as driving a car, as if they had not consumed alcohol" Uren said. The best choice is to remove the keys and call Uber.

It is also dangerous to badume that a person with a high tolerance to alcohol, able to drink more without feeling intoxicated, will not see the long-term effects of alcohol. excessive consumption.

They still run the risk of complications related to "the amount of alcohol you have consumed in their lifetime," said Martin. "These include cirrhosis of the liver, brain disease, neuropathy, pancreatitis and gastritis or stomach cancer."

Indeed, "people who are more tolerant, who have the capacity to drink more, are more likely to develop alcoholism," he said.

Uren pointed out that you should pay particular attention to consumption levels during the hot season, when people often increase their alcohol consumption.

"Alcohol can cause dehydration and should not be used in place of water or any other liquid during exercise or outdoors on hot summer days," he said. declared.

Drinking also harms coordination and judgment. This means that you should "separate alcohol consumption from activities that require increased concentration or coordination," said Uren – like cycling, climbing and a hundred other fun summer sports.

Remember that alcohol at risk consumption is not defined by your tolerance, but by the amount you have consumed.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines excessive drinking as "excessive drinking in less than two hours to the point of raising the blood alcohol level to 0" , 08, "said Uren. "The average woman would probably reach this level with four standard drinks; men usually reach this level after five standard glbades.

A standard beverage is about five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

More generally, you should avoid any risky or dangerous alcohol consumption.

"For men under 65, drinking more than four drinks a day or 14 drinks a week is a risky use," Uren said. "For women, or men over 65, more than three drinks a day or seven drinks a week is considered risky."

And never try to keep pace with alcohol-tolerant Jones.

"Being able to drink something under the table is so often badociated with strength, and being a lightweight is so stigmatized," Martin said. But really, the "light weights" are better off.