Physical health | Alcool Au Féminin

For the same amount of alcohol, women typically reach a higher blood alcohol concentration than men when considering only the influence of biological sex.

When consuming alcohol, our bodies react in different ways, partly because of biological sex . Women, for example, need a smaller amount of alcohol to reach a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and feel the effects of alcohol consumption.

This can be explained by differences in body composition. Women generally have a higher percentage of body fat than men^3,4,5. Since fat contains little water, women’s bodies also have less water. As alcohol only dilutes in water, it gets distributed in a smaller amount of water than in men’s bodies, leading to a higher concentration in the blood.

Women also have a smaller liver, which means they metabolize alcohol more slowly. With this slower breakdown, alcohol stays in the system longer, increasing health risks.

In addition to biological sex, other factors such as weight and age can also influence alcohol metabolism ^3,4,5.

7 out of 10 women know that they need a smaller amount of alcohol than men to feel its effects

Reflection on health and the desire for children

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Myth or reality?

A glass of red wine per day reduces the likelihood of developing heart disease.

Although this belief is widespread, studies on the subject have several limitations that prevent them from conclusively demonstrating that moderate alcohol consumption has protective effects on the heart¹⁰. Some health professionals argue in favor of moderate red wine consumption, as it contains molecules that may have anti-inflammatory , antioxidant , and vasodilatory effects, which could promote aterial health. In response to this argument, a German study published in 2016 found that one would need to consume between 505 and 2,762 liters of red wine per day to ingest a therapeutic dose of the molecules found in wine¹¹.

More recent studies on alcohol consumption emphasize that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, and that any alcohol intake carries health risks.

The risks of breast cancer and liver diseases related to alcohol are higher in women^1,2.

Our alcohol consumption can affect the functioning of various systems and organs in our body, regardless of our biological sex. In addition to being classified as a carcinogen, alcohol increases the risk of developing several cardiovascular diseases and liver diseases¹.

Given the differences in body composition and how the body processes alcohol based on biological sex, women are at greater risk of developing these health problems more quickly, particularly when it comes to liver damage². Compared to men, women are more likely to develop breast cancer, in addition to other cancers associated with alcohol consumption^1,2.

The brain is also an organ particularly sensitive to the effects of alcohol. Our alcohol consumption has immediate effects on our attention, reflexes (psychomotor speed), memory (working memory, short-term memory) , and ability to make decisions⁶. At the same level of alcohol consumption, women experience greater impairments in these abilities than men⁶, particularly in situations like driving, where alcohol has a more significant impact on women’s faculties^1,7. In the long term, alcohol consumption can also cause sleep disorders and cognitive impairments , chronic pain, as well as vascular diseases, epileptic disorders, and balance problems^8,9.

Health Quiz

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True or False? Most women experience the negative effects of alcohol consumption on their physical health.

True or false? Alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer in women.

At the same or lower levels of consumption, which disease are women at greater risk of developing compared to men?

True or false? The rate at which the liver metabolizes alcohol is influenced solely by a person’s biological sex (the sex assigned at birth).

Learn more about women's health

Visit the pages on psychological and mental health, and sexual and reproductive health to learn more about the impact of alcohol consumption on women’s health.

Mental and psychological health Reproductive and sexual health

Physicalhealth

For the same amount of alcohol, women typically reach a higher blood alcohol concentration than men when considering only the influence of biological sex.