Women are more likely to crave alcohol than men

A study has found that females are more likely to need a drink when completing a task under pressure, such as public speaking and mental arithmetic.

Researchers at Arizona State University looked at 105 men and 105 women and set up a simulated bar in their laboratory. They found that stressed women appeared more likely to get drunk and ignore a request to stop drinking after being given stressful tasks.

The experts suggest women may face more social pressure over how they appear to others, which could leave them craving a drink.

Dr Julie Patock-Peckham, who led the study, said: "Women just needed the stress, but men needed the push of already having alcohol on board.

"This shows women may be more vulnerable to heavy drinking due to the impact of the stress - which is worrying after a pandemic of home schooling and working from home."

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