A number of clients who end up challenging a DUI charge argue that they didn’t believe that they were over the legal driving limit at the time they got behind the wheel. Calculating your BAC based solely on your height, weight and alcohol consumption isn’t an exact science, and a number of other factors come into play. Below, we take a look at 10 different factors that influence your blood alcohol content so you can get a better understanding of how alcohol may affect you.
What Affects Your BAC?
Here are 10 factors that influence your BAC.
1. Consumption Rate – The more alcohol you drink in a shorter period of time, the higher your BAC is going to be.
2. Drink Strength – The more alcohol in the drink or the higher proof the alcohol is, the more alcohol you’ll have in your system.
3. Age – As you get older, the effects of alcohol tend to become more pronounced.
4. Weight – Heavier people tend to have more water in their body, which has a diluting effect on the alcohol you consume.
5. Your Metabolism – This is the rate at which your body processes alcohol. It is different for every person.
6. Food – Food helps to slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream by keeping the alcohol in your stomach for a longer period of time. This is why people who drink on an empty stomach will notice the effects of alcohol more quickly.
7. Diabetes – Alcohol can affect the glucose levels of individuals who have diabetes, which can lead to hypoglycemia. Diabetics should avoid drinking on an empty stomach and talk to their doctor about how to best manage their glucose levels when drinking.
8 Medications – Medications can amplify the effects of alcohol and cause other negative side effects inside your body. Most medications should not be taken with alcohol, and you should consult your doctor before drinking with any medication.
9. Stress Level – Interestingly, studies have shown that stress can divert blood from your stomach to your muscles, which slows down the rate of alcohol absorption in your bloodstream. Relieving that stress can lead to normal blood flow and a mini surge in your BAC.
10. Gender – Since alcohol is highly water soluble, and because women generally have lower water content in their bodies, women usually can reach a higher BAC even though they drank the same amount as their same-size male counterparts.
If you want to estimate your BAC, you can use this BAC calculator, but remember that it is just an estimate and should not be taken as proof that you are good to drive. And if you need help after a DUI, contact Appelman Law Firm.
