Final answer:
The time of day you drink does not affect the absorption and metabolism of alcohol. Factors such as gender and food intake do have an impact, with men generally metabolizing alcohol faster and food slowing absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that does not affect how quickly the body absorbs and metabolizes alcohol is C) the time of day you drink. Factors that do affect alcohol metabolism include gender, where men generally metabolize alcohol faster than women, and the presence of food in the stomach, which can slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. The amount of alcohol consumed influences the blood alcohol concentration (BAC), but not the rate at which the liver metabolizes alcohol, since this is limited by the amount of metabolizing enzymes present in the liver.
Giving the liver enough time to metabolize alcohol is essential to avoid alcohol toxicity; therefore, quick-fix methods like drinking coffee or taking a shower are ineffective at accelerating this process.