So THAT'S Why Your Hangovers Get Worse As You Get Older

There’s one aspect of growing older that does not age like a fine wine: Hangovers. If you’ve ever been on the wrong side of a long night out after, say, age 29, you don’t need to be told. You feel both baffled about and nostalgic for a time, just a few years ago, when you could have one too many and wake up early, bright eyed and ready for spin class. What gives?    While the science of the phenomenon ― and how to make it better ― is still difficult for researchers to pin down, experts have some theories as to why your body just can’t handle sharing a pitcher of margaritas anymore: Theory 1: Your have fewer liver enzymes. Let’s start: Alcohol is a toxicant, so when you drink it, your body has to break down and shed the toxic compound of ethanol. Enzymes in your liver are responsible for this process, turning the adult beverage you’ve consumed into a compound called acetaldehyde. An enzyme ― called aldehyde dehydrogenase ― is responsible for morphing acetaldehyde into a substance called acetate, which then turns into properties like carbon dioxide and water. For every serving of alcohol ― a glass of wine, a rum and coke, etc. ― it takes approximately one hour for your liver to do this.  As Science of Us pointed out, this process works fairly efficiently when you’re younger, but, as you get older, your body’s enzyme levels decrease. This could allow acetaldehyde (AKA the bad tox...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news