Do women generally become intoxicated faster than men?

Women generally become intoxicated faster than men due to physiological differences. One key factor is body composition; women typically have a higher percentage of body fat and a lower percentage of water compared to men. Alcohol is water-soluble, so a lower water content means that when both men and women consume the same amount of alcohol, women tend to have a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) because the alcohol is less diluted.

Additionally, metabolic differences in how alcohol is processed can also play a role. Women often have a different level of enzymes that break down alcohol in the liver and stomach, impacting how quickly alcohol is metabolized. These factors combined lead to the understanding that, under similar conditions of alcohol consumption, women may reach intoxication levels more rapidly than their male counterparts.