Which factor contributes to women's increased risk of liver disease compared to men, even with lower alcohol consumption?

The correct factor that contributes to women's increased risk of liver disease compared to men, even with lower alcohol consumption, is hormonal differences. Women have distinct hormonal profiles, particularly involving estrogen and progesterone, which can influence liver function and the metabolism of substances such as alcohol. These hormones can also affect how liver cells respond to injury or inflammation, potentially making women more susceptible to liver damage from toxic agents, even in the absence of high alcohol consumption.

While decreased liver metabolism and genetic predisposition can play roles in liver disease risk, they do not specifically explain the increased risk seen in women compared to men under similar conditions. Similarly, although sensitivity to alcohol itself is a factor in liver disease, it does not wholly address why women might be at increased risk even with lower levels of consumption. Hormonal differences provide a broader understanding that encapsulates how gender biologically influences the risk of liver disease.