We've all had insufferable hangovers with pounding headaches and the inability to function after consuming alcohol. And for those of you under 40, we're sorry to tell you, but it's only going to get worse.
According to a recent study by the University of Pennsylvania, alcohol hits people harder in their 40s and 50s. And while this may seem obvious (most of us can't handle those drunken stupors from our 20s anymore), the study found our bodies also become more sensitive to ingredients like sulphites and tannins in wine, often resulting in nausea or headaches after drinking, according to the Daily Mail.
"All of the effects of alcohol are sort of amplified with age," said David W. Oslin, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania to the Washington Street Journal. "Withdrawal is a little bit more complicated. Hangovers are a little bit more complicated."
But the main reasons hangovers after 40 are more painful include tolerance levels, which tend to decrease as one gets older, liver function and the body's inability to stay hydrated. The study also found people tend to lose muscle mass, increase fat content (which doesn't hold any alcohol) and have less body water as they age. Mixing prescriptions with booze isn't doing anyone any good either.
Other reports have found alcohol can also play a role in making you look older. According to writer and registered nurse Jodi Sawyer of "The Dr. Oz Show," drinking excessive alcohol can cause premature wrinkles, loss of collagen, elasticity, redness and puffiness as we age. She also adds that heavy drinking gets riskier with age, and some people can even suffer from liver disease, brain damage and heart disease.
How often are you drinking these days? Let us know in the comments below:
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