Why Holiday Drinks Hit Harder Now

You Should Know: Despite an overall decline in drinking among younger people, a recent survey found Gen Z and millennials plan to drink the same or more during the holidays. A word of warning: We might not be able to hold our eggnog like we used to. Booze hits us harder the older we get and makes the effects of drinking worse. 

Going Deeper: Among the many things that change as we age is our tolerance to alcohol — and it’s not because we’re getting old and less fun. Liver enzymes that break down alcohol become less efficient as we age. That means it takes fewer drinks to get drunk. We also lose muscle mass as we get older. Muscle stores water that helps dilute the booze. Less water also means more dehydration — and a heftier hangover.

Takeaway: The effects may be even worse for women. Perimenopause can often disrupt sleep, cause hot flashes, and increase depression and anxiety symptoms, and alcohol only adds fuel to the fire. 

Bottom Line: The threat of a bad hangover and a longer recovery time may actually be a good way to keep our drinking moderately during the holidays — helping us avoid losing precious sleep and quality time with family and friends.