Why is chronic drinking in women much more likely to lead to cardiovascular disease?

The choice indicating that women have a lower percentage of water in their bodies than men is correct because this physiological difference significantly influences how alcohol is metabolized. Alcohol is water-soluble, meaning it disperses in the body’s water content. Since women generally have a lower percentage of body water than men, they can experience a higher blood alcohol concentration compared to men when consuming equivalent amounts of alcohol.

This higher concentration can lead to more pronounced physiological effects from alcohol, including damage to the heart and vascular system over time, thus contributing to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, as chronic drinking continues, the cumulative effects become even more detrimental. Understanding the role of body composition in alcohol metabolism is crucial in assessing health risks associated with drinking, particularly in women.

The other options present factors that may influence alcohol-related health issues but do not specifically explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women due to chronic alcohol ingestion as clearly as the physiological aspect of water composition does.