"The liver's primary function is to detoxify things — break them down and make them into usable units of currency for the body, or get rid of them if they're harmful. As we get older, toxic byproducts of alcohol linger in the body The liver breaks down alcohol with the help of enzymes, but as we get older it produces fewer of them, meaning toxic byproducts such as acetaldehyde — the compound responsible for many hangover symptoms — linger in the body."
"It's not just the liver. The body's water content drops by about 5% after the age of 55, partly because levels of muscle, where a lot of it is stored, decrease. Less water means alcohol is more concentrated in the bloodstream, and dehydration caused by its diuretic qualities — a key culprit behind hangover headaches and grogginess — hits harder."
Liver function declines with age, reducing production of enzymes that metabolize alcohol and allowing toxic byproducts such as acetaldehyde to linger. Reduced muscle mass after about age 55 lowers total body water by roughly 5%, concentrating alcohol in the bloodstream and amplifying dehydration from alcohol's diuretic effect. Declining kidney function slows waste removal, prolonging circulation of harmful metabolites. These physiological changes combine to make hangovers more severe and longer-lasting with age. Preventive measures include alternating alcoholic drinks with water and adhering to recommended weekly limits. Once a hangover begins, rest, hydration and paracetamol can alleviate symptoms while time restores balance.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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