The current legal blood alcohol concentration in every state is 0.08 percent. However, various organizations want to lower the limit to 0.05 percent, and studies suggest such an action could save of lives.
It is important to understand that alcohol affects everyone differently. You may be well below the legal limit, but still unable to operate a vehicle safely. The police may arrest you if you have a BAC of 0.04 percent because they believe you posed a danger to yourself and others. Know your limits and know what factors affect BAC.
Gender
Men have slightly more muscle in their bodies than fat while women tend to have more fat. Since muscles contain more water, men are more capable of diluting alcohol in their bodies than water. Therefore, women will feel more intoxicated by the same number of drinks consumed in the same period of time compared to a man.
Food
The body absorbs alcohol in the stomach and intestines. When you have food in your body, it slows down the absorption process. The food itself does not absorb the alcohol. Foods high in fat are better than foods high in carbohydrates.
Rate of consumption
You also need to be mindful of how much you drink in a given period of time. Most experts recommend consuming one alcoholic beverage, which can mean 12 ounces of beer or five ounces of wine, in one hour. If you drink more than that, then your liver will have a harder time trying to catch up.
Type of alcohol
When it comes to hard liquors, different proofs come with each one. A vodka with an 80 proof will not hit you as hard than a vodka with a 150 proof. Additionally, you need to be mindful if you consume mixed drinks. Not all bartenders make drinks the same way. One may give you 0.5 ounces while another gives you a full ounce. You may not realize how much alcohol you have really had to drink, and this can make you believe it is safe to drive when in actuality it is not.
