While much has been reported in the media about gender biased testing in an academic setting, few people know that DUI blood alcohol concentration (BAC) testing may also be gender biased. There are a number of gender based factors related to the body’s metabolism of alcohol as well as other gender based factors that result in a female typically having a higher BAC when drinking the same amount of alcohol as a male. This article is designed to explain the reasons that a female faces a greater risk of testing above the Florida BAC legal limit of 0.08 than a male after consuming the same amount of alcohol. An experienced Florida DUI attorney will know how to account for these gender differences and how to utilize these gender specific factors in defending you against Florida DUI charges.
While the reasons for a woman producing higher BAC results than a man after consuming the same amount of alcohol are complicated, many of the reasons are related to differences in the body chemistry between men and women. The key factors that result in a higher BAC in women include the following:
Alcohol Metabolizing Enzymes: Research has shown that women have less of the enzyme that begins the metabolic breakdown of alcohol in the stomach. Men have approximately twice as much of this enzyme, known as gastric alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This enzyme metabolizes about fifteen percent of alcohol consumed so that it is not absorbed into the blood stream. Because women cannot rely on this enzyme to metabolize as much of the alcohol they consume, they will have more alcohol absorbed via the small intestines into their blood stream. This factor alone results in a seven percent difference in the blood alcohol levels between a man and a woman.
Differences in Blood Volume and Body Fat: Generally, men tend to have a greater muscle to fat ratio than women do. Muscle tissue has more blood then fat so the greater blood volume means that alcohol is more diluted in men’s bodies.
Water Volume: Men’s bodies are comprised of between 5-20% more water than women do. This additional water also means that alcohol is diluted in men’s body.
Differences in Weight: Men on average are larger and weigh more than women do. A person’s body weight is directly related to one’s BAC level. If two people consume an equal amount of alcohol, the person who weighs less will tend to have a higher BAC.
Hormone Levels: A women’s hormone level particularly during menstration will typically result in elevated BAC and will result in a woman’s BAC level remaining elevated for a longer duration. Incidentally, there is also research indicating that birth control pills may result in a woman having a higher BAC.
These are just some of the ways that gender can impact a woman’s DUI blood alcohol testing. Along with these differences, women who wear heels may also have a disadvantage in some field sobriety tests. An experienced Florida DUI defense lawyer will carefully analyze any field sobriety test results and BAC test results to develop the best defense strategy to help you stay out of jail and put your DUI arrest behind you.
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