Are we imagining it, or does a hangover really get worse as you get older? How come? Santé answers.
You don't imagine it. When you were young, you were indeed less likely to suffer from a hangover.
Your metabolism is no longer as fast and efficient as it used to be. As a result, your body takes longer and longer to break down alcohol. Exactly how long it takes and how much slower it goes varies from person to person.
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For many people, a slower metabolism also means that they have put on a few pounds over the years. You feel the alcohol less quickly, because it is spread over more body mass † This makes it easier for you to drink more, while your liver breaks down the alcohol more slowly than before.