OverviewA common misconception is that drinking water speeds up alcohol absorption. Total body water, not excess water consumed, has an effect on alcohol absorption. Alcohol is absorbed in water, so the more body water a person has, the faster alcohol is dispersed throughout the body. Several factors affect a person's total body water, thereby affecting alcohol absorption. These include body size, gender and body composition.Body SizeGenerally people who are larger in stature tend to have more body water. When alcohol is consumed, it travels from the blood to tissues in the body containing water. Larger people with more body water have more surface area for alcohol to diffuse to, increasing the absorption rate of alcohol. Similarly, a smaller person with less body water has less body water to absorb the alcohol, keeping alcohol in the bloodstream longer.GenderFemales on average are smaller than males, making them more susceptible to the effects of alcohol. Because of women's smaller body size, they have less total body water to distribute alcohol. Thus, a man and a woman could both consume the same amount of alcohol and the man would absorb the alcohol faster. Additionally, women have less of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase which breaks down alcohol, causing absorption rates to be slower for that reason as well.Body CompositionAlcohol is more soluble in water than in fat. Because of this, a person with a higher fat percentage will have slower absorption rates of alcohol. A person with a lean body mass has more water body and thus greater opportunity for alcohol to be distributed. As a result, a leaner person will have greater absorption of alcohol than a person with more body fat of the same weight.Other FactorsTotal body water is not the only factor that affects the rate of alcohol absorption. In addition to body size, gender and body composition, several other factors influence alcohol metabolism. Consuming alcohol after a meal slows the rate of alcohol absorption by delaying stomach emptying. This creates a sobering effect. Other factors that influence alcohol absorption include the type of alcohol consumed, the drinking rate and interaction with medication and drugs.