Scientists define age when hangovers become worst
At what age does a hangover become the most severe (photo: freepik.com)
A hangover is a tough condition at any age, as it is a clear signal that the body has received a toxic dose of alcohol. However, at a certain age, a hangover becomes the most severe - and according to research, it's not middle age, the Daily Mail reports.
Scientists from Utrecht University in the Netherlands have found that people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol between the ages of 18 and 35 experience the most severe hangover symptoms the next morning.
People aged 46 to 65 experience headaches, nausea, and exhaustion in the morning after drinking alcohol - but all symptoms manifest twice as mildly as in those under 35.
Experts believe that with age, people develop a "tolerance" to severe hangover symptoms and perceive them less dramatically. At the same time, men suffer more than women in almost all age groups, except for those over 66.
The conclusions of this study contradict evidence from many previous ones, which suggested that hangovers worsen as the body ages. For example, earlier studies indicated that aging reduces liver efficiency, which can slow down alcohol metabolism, prolonging its presence in the blood.
However, Dutch researchers claim that the severity and frequency of hangovers not only decrease with age but also that people feel "less drunk" as they age, even when consuming the same amount of alcohol.
During the study, all volunteers answered questions related to their alcohol consumption two months before the COVID-19 lockdown. They were also asked to record the number of alcoholic beverages they consumed on average per week and the number of days per week they drank alcohol.
Participants then had to rate their hangover severity on a scale from 0 to 10. They also had to indicate how many hangover episodes they had experienced over two months. The scientists then conducted an analysis to compare participants from different age groups and looked for differences in hangover severity.
"The analysis indicated that with increasing age, less severe hangovers are experienced," the study authors said.
They added that a possible reason could be that sensitivity to pain decreases with age.
A hangover is the result of the body's attempt to get rid of toxic alcohol. The substances produced as byproducts of this process cause inflammation and temporary changes in the immune system. One of these substances is acetaldehyde - a by-product partly responsible for that groggy feeling.
Dehydration is another serious cause of hangovers. If a person frequently goes to the bathroom and their fluid levels decrease without being replenished, a hangover is inevitable.
Lack of sleep can make the situation worse, and not just because you went to bed late. Alcohol disrupts sleep, and during "drunken" sleep, the number of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) cycles is insufficient. REM sleep is a crucial stage that helps a person feel refreshed.
Read also which alcoholic beverage can slow down aging.
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