Why do women generally have a higher BAC than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol?

The reason women generally have a higher Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol is due to physiological differences between the sexes, particularly regarding body composition. Women typically have a lower percentage of water in their bodies compared to men and a higher percentage of body fat.

Alcohol is distributed through body water, and since women have less water for alcohol to disperse in, the same amount of alcohol leads to a higher concentration in the bloodstream. Furthermore, body fat does not absorb alcohol as effectively as body water does, which means that women’s higher body fat percentage can also contribute to a higher BAC when drinking the same volume of alcohol as men.

While factors such as metabolism or drinking patterns can influence BAC to some extent, the fundamental reason for the difference is significantly rooted in body composition, reinforcing how physiological factors play an important role in alcohol absorption and its effects.