Dr Jarvis: Alcohol is worse for older people

Older people should bear in mind that their bodies cope less well with alcohol than when they were younger, Dr Sarah Jarvis has said.

A decrease in body water content and an increase in body fat content, which comes with age, partly explain why hangovers feel worse when people hit their 30s and 40s.

Another reason is that lean body mass also reduces, leading to higher blood alcohol concentration for the same amount of alcohol consumed.

Dr Jarvis, a GP and women's health spokesperson for the Royal College of GPs, commented after a YouGov survey showed that nearly half of people in their 30s and 40s have not learnt to stick to the recommended alcohol limits.

One in three said drinking too much alcohol had ruined at least one occasion in the past year and nearly half (49 per cent) said excessive drinking resulted in a hangover so bad they were unable to function the next day.

"This survey shows that many people find it difficult to stop once they've started drinking," she said.

"The answer is easy – don't start if you think you may lose control."

Dr Jarvis added: "To help you stick to your limits, you might want to try agreeing a limit with a friend, following one alcoholic drink with a soft drink or taking time out from drinking for another activity.

"If you have drunk heavily your body tissues will be under considerable stress, so always avoid drinking for 48 hours to give time for the body to recover and to limit any damage."