When a 70-year-old man consumes excessive alcohol compared to a 30-year-old man, what is the expected blood alcohol concentration effect?

In the context of aging and alcohol consumption, the physiological changes that occur with age can significantly impact blood alcohol concentration (BAC). As individuals age, there are notable changes in body composition, including a decrease in total body water and an increase in body fat. This shift in body composition affects how alcohol is distributed throughout the body.

When a 70-year-old man consumes alcohol compared to a younger 30-year-old man, he typically has a higher body fat percentage and lower total body water. Alcohol is water-soluble, meaning an individual with lower body water will experience a higher BAC after consuming the same amount of alcohol as someone with more body water. Thus, the aging man can reach a higher BAC due to his decreased body mass in terms of lean muscle and increased fat composition, which augments the concentration of alcohol in his bloodstream.

Therefore, considering these factors, the expected effect of alcohol consumption in an older individual would indeed be a higher blood alcohol concentration as a result of these age-related changes in physiology.