Why Do Some People Get Drunk Faster Than Others? | The Boozy Files #13

Article published at: Feb 15, 2025 Article tag: The Boozy Files
Why Do Some People Get Drunk Faster Than Others
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Picture this: You and your friend order the same cocktail or liquor. You both take a sip, laugh at the same joke, and 20 minutes later, one of you is eloquently debating existential philosophy while the other is barely forming sentences.

Why? Is it a cruel trick of nature? A flaw in the matrix? Or something even more sinister—like your so-called "lightweight" friend faking it for attention?

Let's cut through the nonsense (I'm sorry). The science behind intoxication is both fascinating and brutally unfair. And if you’re a fan of Boozy.ph—where Most Loved Liquors meet the Best liquor delivery service—you’ll want to know why some people hold their booze like seasoned warriors while others fold faster than cheap bar stools.

The Size Matters (But Not in the Way You Think)

People love to say, "I’m bigger, so I can drink more." That’s adorable—but also incomplete. Sure, body mass plays a role. Alcohol spreads through water in the body, and a larger person usually has more water content to dilute the booze. But if body size were the only factor, heavyweight champions would be unbeatable at drinking games.

Here’s the kicker: It’s not just size. It’s body composition. Muscle tissue contains more water than fat, meaning a muscular person will process alcohol better than someone with the same weight but a higher fat percentage. So, next time your gym-rat friend outdrinks you, blame science, not his protein shakes.

The Metabolism Myth

People love throwing around the term "fast metabolism" as if it’s a golden ticket to outdrinking everyone at the party. Wrong.

Your body processes alcohol primarily through the liver, where the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) breaks it down. Some people naturally have more ADH, meaning they metabolize booze faster. Others have less, meaning alcohol lingers in their system longer, leading to quicker intoxication.

This is where genetics plays a dirty trick: Some ethnic backgrounds, particularly East Asians, have a genetic variation that slows alcohol metabolism. That’s why some people turn bright red after one drink—it’s called the Asian flush. It’s not embarrassment; it’s biochemistry.

The Gender Gap in Drinking

Let’s address the controversy: Women, on average, get drunk faster than men. No, it’s not because of “tolerance” or “practice.” It’s pure biology. Women typically have: Less ADH (meaning alcohol lingers longer in their system).
Higher body fat percentage (which doesn’t absorb alcohol well, leaving more in the bloodstream).

Lower water content (leading to higher alcohol concentration per drink).
This isn’t to say women can’t build tolerance—it’s just that, drink-for-drink, they tend to feel the effects faster.

So, Who Wins the Drinking Game?


At the end of the day, alcohol affects everyone differently. Some people are genetically gifted with fast metabolism, some build tolerance over time, and some are just lucky enough to have a stomach full of greasy food before the first round. The next time someone calls you a lightweight, just smile and whisper, “I metabolize alcohol efficiently.” If they insist they can drink more, let them.

You’ll be the one remembering the night. And if you’re looking for the Best liquor delivery service to put these theories to the test, Boozy.ph has you covered. Whether you want Most Loved Liquors delivered fast or need a last-minute bottle to impress your friends, we make sure your drinks arrive before your excuses run out.

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