If you have noticed that a couple of drinks now leave you feeling drained, foggy, or just not yourself the next day — you are not imagining it. The way your body processes alcohol changes significantly after 40.
The liver produces less of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down ethanol. At the same time, your body glutathione levels begin to decline, reducing your natural antioxidant capacity. The result: the same two drinks now create a heavier biological workload.
This is not about becoming an alcoholic. It is about understanding the science so you can make smarter choices — whether that means drinking less, drinking smarter, or supporting your body differently.