Why do men typically have a lower blood alcohol content (BAC) than women after consuming the same amount of ethanol?

The correct answer is that men typically have a higher percentage of bodily water than women, which influences blood alcohol content (BAC) after alcohol consumption. Ethanol is distributed throughout the body’s water. Since men generally possess a greater total body water percentage compared to women, the same volume of alcohol will be diluted more in a male's system, resulting in a lower BAC.

This physiological difference is significant because a higher proportion of body water allows for a more extensive dilution of alcohol. This dilution effect means that, after consuming the same amount of ethanol, men tend to experience a lower blood alcohol concentration compared to women, who have a higher percentage of body fat and lower body water.

Understanding this concept is crucial for appreciating how gender differences in body composition affect alcohol metabolism and the physiological responses to drinking.