随着年龄增长，脂肪增加而瘦肌肉（富含水分）减少，因此相同数量的酒会更快产生更高、持续更久的血液酒精水平，并带来更严重的后效应。更小、更慢的肝脏会增加对乙醛等代谢产物的暴露；乙醛是一种致癌物，与头痛、恶心、心悸以及“中毒般”的宿醉有关。

在《Alcohol》（2022）中，48名社交饮酒者被静脉滴注近3小时以将血液酒精维持在0.05%，并用身体扫描量化瘦体重/体水。55–65岁的参与者瘦体重低于21–25岁者；尽管自觉醉意相同，年长组报告的愉悦感更少。

随年龄增长的睡眠恶化会被酒精叠加：一项发表于《SLEEP Advances》的2022年研究对13,851对年长的芬兰双胞胎进行长期随访，在控制遗传因素和“生活满意度”后发现，即使是适度的习惯性饮酒也会预测晚年更差的睡眠质量，包括在不饮酒的日子。为减少峰值和次日反应，应小口慢饮而非豪饮，酒精与清水或含电解质饮料（运动饮料或椰子水）交替，整个晚上进食，并避免在临睡前才喝睡前酒。

As people age, physiological changes lead to a quicker rise in blood alcohol concentration (BAC), resulting in harsher aftereffects. This occurs due to a combination of reduced muscle mass, decreased body water, and a smaller liver, which processes alcohol more slowly.

In a study with 48 drinkers consuming alcohol at 0.05% for around three hours, older participants experienced similar intoxication levels but reported less pleasure than their younger counterparts. This highlights how aging affects enjoyment and overall experience.

A sleep study involving 13,851 twins indicated that moderate habitual drinking can predict poorer sleep in the future. Coupled with liver reduction and increased exposure to acetaldehyde, it’s crucial to consider these factors in assessing alcohol's impact on health.

Source: Why hangovers get worse as you get older

Subtitle: But there are things you can do to help

Dateline: 12月 11, 2025 06:00 上午