Health impacts and age-related changes in alcohol sensitivity

Alcohol consumption affects the body in various ways beyond liver damage, including potential triggers for allergies and asthma due to sulfites. It can also disrupt sleep quality by interfering with REM cycles, leading to nightmares and fatigue.

As individuals age, particularly after 50 and more significantly after 65, the body's reaction to alcohol often changes. Medical experts note that aging typically involves a decrease in muscle mass and total body water, alongside an increase in body fat. Because alcohol distributes primarily through the body's water compartments, a lower water content can result in higher blood alcohol concentrations even with the same amount of consumption.

Additionally, the process of alcohol leaving the system can cause blood sugar levels to drop, which may trigger stress and anxiety, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as ‘hanxiety’.