Why Alcohol Hits Harder As You Get Older

Key Takeaways As you age, the same amount of alcohol has a bigger impact because your body contains less water, loses muscle mass, and metabolizes alcohol more slowly. Alcohol also disrupts sleep more as you get older, making it harder for your body to recover and increasing next-day effects. Simple habits like drinking more slowly, staying hydrated, eating before drinking, and avoiding alcohol close to bedtime can help make things easier the next day.