If you are regularly drinking alcohol over the age of 60, you are at a greater risk of early death. This is according to a new study recently published in JAMA Network Open. Based on the findings of this study and numerous similar studies, even small amounts of alcohol significantly increase your risk. This is in stark contrast to the old belief that moderate alcohol consumption was safe.
The Study on Drinking Alcohol After 60
In the study, Spanish researchers examined health data collected from over 135,000 individuals. All of the participants were aged 60 or older, resided in the UK, and supplied their health information to the UK Biobank database. The average age of these participants at the beginning of the study was 64. During their initial visit, they all completed a detailed questionnaire covering their social, lifestyle, and medical backgrounds. They were also required to provide biological samples and underwent various physical examinations. The researchers then tracked their health over time by linking their data to the country’s national death registries.
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The Variables of the Study
During their baseline assessment, the study’s participants were asked how often and how much they typically drank various alcoholic beverages. The researchers then categorized their drinking patterns into four groups: occasional, low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk. These classifications were based on recommendations from health authorities that had been used in earlier studies. The participants were also categorized by when they drank (either only during meals or at any time). The participant’s health risks were evaluated using a frailty index (FI) designed specifically for the UK Biobank. This index helps researchers measure how vulnerable someone is to certain health issues. Their socioeconomic risk was assessed using the Townsend Deprivation Index (TDI). This index looks at how deprived an area is in terms of socioeconomic factors such as income and employment.
Results of the Study
In the study, the researchers compared the health outcomes over 12 years between occasional drinkers and daily drinkers. The biggest health risks were observed when comparing occasional drinkers to the individuals who had been classified as “high risk.” The occasional drinkers reported having fewer than two drinks per week. In contrast, the high-risk group consisted of males who drank nearly three or more drinks daily and females who averaged about one and a half drinks daily. The study revealed that high-risk drinking, compared to occasional drinking was associated with a 33% higher risk of early death. It was also linked to a 39% increased risk of dying from cancer and a 21% greater risk of death from heart and blood vessel issues.
Additional Findings
According to this study, even moderately drinking alcohol was linked to a higher risk of early death and developing cancer. In fact, drinking just one alcoholic beverage or less daily was associated with an 11% increase in the risk of dying from cancer. Low and moderate drinkers were especially vulnerable if they had existing health issues or resided in less wealthy neighborhoods. The findings of the study also revealed that drinking mostly wine or having alcohol mainly with meals might be a lower risk. However, the researchers emphasized the need for more studies on this point. They noted that the lower risk might actually be due to healthier lifestyles, slower alcohol absorption, or the nonalcoholic components of certain drinks.
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Changing Attitudes About Drinking Alcohol
A growing number of Americans feel that even moderate drinking is bad for one’s health. In fact, 45% of Americans now believe that consuming one or two alcoholic beverages daily is harmful. This is a rather significant increase from previous years, reflecting a dramatic shift in the public perception of alcohol. Nowadays, young adults are more likely than older generations to view alcohol as a serious health risk. In fact, their consumption has declined in recent years, with beer and liquor typically being more popular than wine. Recent polls taken by Gallup show that while views on the health effects of moderate drinking have shifted, only 8% now see it as beneficial. These are the lowest readings to date on record!
The Bottom Line
As more and more people start to see the dangers of drinking, it might be time to rethink our drinking habits. This important study brings increasing awareness of the health risks associated with drinking alcohol, especially as we get older. It’s a much-needed wake-up call for those who still think that consuming a little alcohol won’t hurt (or might even be good for you). The research indicates that even small amounts of alcohol can raise the risk of early death from cancer and heart problems, especially for those over 60 years of age. With age comes increased vulnerability, and adding alcohol to the mix might just not be worth it. The study also suggests that drinking wine or having alcohol with meals might be a bit safer. However, more research is needed to be sure.
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