If you think that the older you get, the worse your hangovers are, you’d be right.
If you think that the older you get, the worse your hangovers are, you’d be right.
Science has confirmed that as we age, we just don’t fare as well in the speedy recovery department.
Scientists may not fully understand what causes hangovers specifically, but they do know that much of the nausea, headaches, and fatigue are likely related to a toxin.
It’s called acetaldehyde, and it presents in the body during the liver’s two-part process of breaking down alcohol.
The liver can only handle so much in a given amount of time – about a drink per hour – so imbibing more liquor than that can result in toxic excess.
This is where your age begins to betray you.
Acetaldehyde is neutralized by the naturally occurring antioxidant glutathione.
According to recent studies in South Korea, as we age, its believed that our ability to manufacture it diminishes.
So, when you wake up feeling toxic, it’s likely because you still are.
Other possible explanations include alcohol reacting with medications, recent weight loss or gain, and simply being out of practice, as people tend to drink less often as they get older.
