An alcohol test is one undertaking that comes with many shortcomings. While the tests are essential, especially for the government to curb drunk driving cases, many issues arise to do with false or inaccurate results. That is why it is only logical for people to understand what is likely to affect blood alcohol content results in their bodies.
Even still, many facilities use different techniques to ensure correct results. For this reason, people are ever on the go-to for such facilities that will provide results that are reflective of the real issue. Should anyone be looking for a facility for accurate ‘’alcohol testing near me’’, the choices come in many doses. Nevertheless, below are the notorious factors that influence the results of alcohol in someone’s body.
Gender
Alcohol is highly water-soluble. Because women generally have lower water content in their bodies than men, they usually reach a higher BAC if they consume alcohol at a similar rate to their male counterparts, even if they are the same age and weight. Women also have a lower quantity of an enzyme in their stomachs that breaks down alcohol than men.
Rate of Consumption
The faster someone consumes alcohol, the quicker the BAC will rise. This one goes hand in hand with the drink strength. Someone may drink a lot of alcohol, but the effect will be less evident when the content is low. Similarly, a drink with a high percentage of alcohol will stay in the bloodstream for long.
Body Type and Age
The more someone weighs, the more water they tend to have in their body, which dilutes the alcohol they consume. That is why larger people usually require more drinks to “keep pace” with their smaller companions. Age is a well a factor to consider here, with aging people experiencing higher BAC during tests. The same case goes to minors as well.
Fat/Muscle Content
Fatty tissue is low in water content and cannot absorb alcohol, and the alcohol must remain in the bloodstream until the liver can break it down. However, tissues that are higher in water content, such as muscle, do absorb alcohol. Hence, BAC will usually be higher in the person with more body fat. The body muscle and fat content will also affect Metabolism tolerance that varies from person to person and describes the rate at which alcohol is processed by the body.
Medications
Many medications react negatively to alcohol, including cold or allergy pills and prescription drugs. They can intensify the effects of alcohol and even endanger health. Anyone taking drugs should check the product labels for alcohol warnings, or consult their doctor or pharmacist before drinking. Even better, they need to avoid taking alcohol altogether.
Food
For people who drink on an empty stomach, their BAC will be higher than a person who has eaten before drinking. Food slows the bloodstream absorption by keeping the alcohol consumed in the stomach for a longer period. Honestly, let us all learn from experiences how useful it is to drink alcohol after taking a heavy meal. Otherwise, the effects may be severe and put someone at everlasting health risks.
