Fat Metabolism
It is a known fact that men and women lose weight and store fat in very different ways. Women usually have higher body fat percentages than that of men. While men store most of their body fat in their abdominal region, women store the majority of fat in their hips and thighs (namely, the gluteal-femoral region). Scientists have proven that it is easier to burn fat from the abdominal region than the gluteal-femoral region. Studies have shown that these factors contribute to men having faster metabolisms than women.
How Fat Metabolism and Weight Relates to Alcohol Consumption
Studies have shown that women are more susceptible to the effects of consuming alcohol than men. Recent research has indicated that this is due to the fact that women store relatively more fat than men and are generally smaller than men. Additionally women have smaller amounts of the gastric alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme, which is found within the stomach lining and works to break down alcohol. A recent study showed that an average-sized woman becomes intoxicated after consuming approximately 50% less alcohol than the amount a man would have to consume to reach the same level of inebriation.
Other Things to Consider
It is interesting to note that researchers have discovered that oral contraceptives increase the rate of elimination of ethanol concentrations in the human blood stream. Studies have shown that women who take oral contraceptives process alcohol much more rapidly than women who do not. Additionally, the physiological differences between men and women certainly come into play in regards to testing blood alcohol concentrations (BACs).
As we have learned, there are many factors to consider when comparing the different ratios between a man and a woman. Differences in lung capacities between men and women, as they relate to deep lung air samples for example, may play a role in inaccurate results since most breath testing devices have only one standard calibration.
Whether you’re a man or woman, take the steps to protect yourself and those around you. Give yourself the ability to test your BAC anytime and anywhere with the BacTrack Element. This highly accurate, portable device can be stored in your car, purse or brief case. You can then rest assured that you know when you’ve had too much. Order yours today.