Does Alcohol Age You?
Many older adults say they’re confused about how much alcohol to drink. Some studies tout the health benefits of a glass of wine each day, while others say that drinking nothing at all is the best approach. We’re going to take a deep dive into the best recommendations about aging and alcohol so you can make the choices that are right for you.
Alcohol and Health Over 50
How Much Should You Drink?
The first step in answering the question, “How much should I drink?” is to clarify what is meant by one standard drink of alcohol. One standard drink is considered:
12 ounces of beer
5 ounces of wine
.5 ounces of hard liquor.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider a “moderate” level of drinking to be 1 standard drink for women or 2 for men. This translates to the recommendation of no more than 7 drinks per week for women and no more than 14 drinks per week for men.
It’s important to note that heavy alcohol use, and particularly binge drinking, is associated with heart disease, breast cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, and a variety of other chronic health problems. A binge drinking episode is considered more than 4-5 drinks in a sitting, and it can be associated with poor health.
Are There Health Benefits to Alcohol?
The research on health benefits of alcohol can be confusing. There are a lot of variables to consider, because alcohol use is also associated with a variety of other lifestyle factors that can affect health. For example, a person who drinks a nice glass of red wine each night might have a different socioeconomic status or health background than someone who kicks back with a few beers after work. Additionally, someone who has never consumed alcohol may have a very different profile from someone who no longer drinks due to past alcohol abuse or health complications. But both of these people would be lumped together in the “non-drinker” category in many scientific research studies.
While there is some research linking low to moderate amounts of drinking with better health outcomes, it’s far from clear. If you do not already drink alcohol, there is no compelling reason to start drinking because of possible health benefits of alcohol. Increasing your physical activity level, following a healthy diet, staying socially active, and decreasing stress are better ways to improve your health.
Are There Healthy Types of Alcohol?
In terms of which types of alcohol may be best for your health, red wine contains antioxidants that can reduce oxidative stress. That means it can lower inflammation, which has positive benefits for multiple aspects of health. Some beers and hard liquors also contain antioxidants but at lower levels than red wine.
Does Alcohol Inhibit Weight Loss?
If your goal is to lose weight, reducing alcohol intake can definitely be part of the picture. Alcohol itself contains calories that can add up quickly. Plus, people who drink more heavily tend to have worse overall diets than those who drink more moderately. If you do enjoy alcohol in moderation, consider the types of drinks you enjoy most. A sugary margarita enjoyed during a night out drinking and eating restaurant food with friends will probably have a more negative health impact than a glass of beer or wine enjoyed with a home-cooked meal. Taking note of the types of foods you eat before drinking alcohol, while drinking, and afterward can help you determine if cutting out alcohol might help with your overall diet.
Does Alcohol Age You?
As you grow older, you might notice that drinking alcohol feels different than it used to. Our bodies metabolize, or break down, alcohol differently as we age. That means that the same amount of alcohol might feel different for your body. If you tend to feel flushed, get a headache, or have a faster heart rate while drinking, those effects might last longer than they used to. Some people decide it’s best to quit drinking entirely because of the way it feels for them.
Does Alcohol Increase Dementia Risk?
The question of whether alcohol is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is a complicated one. High levels of drinking negatively affect your memory, primarily because your brain is not able to make high-quality memories in the first place if you’re intoxicated. For people who drink heavily or chronically, alcohol use can definitely increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
On the other hand, some research studies have shown that moderate levels of drinking can actually lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, antioxidants such as those found in red wine may be beneficial for brain health. Again, it is probably not worth starting to drink if you do not already, but low to moderate levels of drinking may protect your brain against Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Why Does Alcohol Increase Anxiety?
Alcohol is considered a central nervous system depressant, meaning that it slows down brain activity. For people who feel anxious at baseline, alcohol can actually make things worse. It affects neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, involved in emotion regulation and anxiety. While some people find that a drink or two helps them calm down, others notice that it makes them more anxious. If you are one of the people that notices a spike in anxiety related to drinking, it may be best to cut back or quit entirely.
When Drinking Becomes Unhealthy
How Do I Know If I’m Drinking Too Much? Or If It’s Affecting My Health?
Alcohol is an enjoyable aspect of life for many people, but for some, it causes problems. Recognizing the signs of drinking too much or negative health effects is important. Following are some questions to ask yourself to decide if it may be time to cut back on drinking:
Have you felt a need to cut down on your drinking?
Have other people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?
Have you ever felt like you need a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or combat a hangover?
Do you feel physically well after drinking, or is it causing negative health problems or symptoms that bother you?
Has drinking negatively impacted your relationships with friends or family?
Has drinking negatively affected your ability to do things that are important to you, such as your job, family obligations, or volunteer activities?
More Questions Answered Through Mighty Health
Mighty Health is here to answer all of your questions related to aging and health. We’re here to support you no matter where you are in your health journey. When you join Mighty Health, you’re matched with a personal health coach who can help you make a plan for healthier living in your 50s and beyond! Download our app today to learn more.