The dimming effects of alcohol: Recent research indicates that even moderate drinking may pose harm to older adults.
In recent years, there has been a growing shift in the perception of alcohol consumption, especially among younger adults. This change is supported by a new study revealing that even low levels of drinking may pose significant health risks, particularly for older adults.
According to a recent Gallup poll, nearly half of Americans—45%—now believe that having one or two alcoholic drinks a day is detrimental to health. This marks a significant increase from previous years and is the highest percentage recorded since the survey's inception in 2001. Notably, younger adults are leading this change in perspective, with 65% of those under 35 agreeing that moderate drinking is unhealthy.
This shifting mindset is further validated by a study published in JAMA Network Open, which examined the health outcomes of over 135,000 adults aged 60 and older. The study found that moderate alcohol consumption, long thought to have potential health benefits, may actually increase the risk of various diseases, including cancer, liver and kidney problems, and depression.
Dr. Timothy Naimi, a leading expert from the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, emphasizes that alcohol is a carcinogen linked to around 50 different types of death. "Overall, alcohol is a health hazard," Naimi asserts, challenging the once popular belief that moderate drinking, especially wine, could be beneficial. "The most consistent finding across all the science is that generally speaking, the less you drink, the better you are off health-wise."
The study categorized participants based on their drinking habits, ranging from occasional to high-risk drinkers. Those who consumed alcohol occasionally—less than 20 grams per week—served as the reference group. For context, a standard drink in the United States contains about 14 grams of alcohol. The research revealed that even low-risk drinkers were about 10% more likely to die from cancer than their occasional drinking counterparts. The risks increased with higher levels of alcohol consumption, with high-risk drinkers being 33% more likely to die from cancer, heart disease, or any other cause.
Interestingly, the study also observed some nuances in the data. For instance, participants who predominantly drank wine or consumed alcohol with meals showed slightly lower risks of cancer and death, despite having similar socioeconomic and health-related risk factors as others. However, Dr. Rosario Ortola, the study’s lead author, cautions against attributing these benefits to alcohol. "It could be that people who drink wine or only drink with meals have other healthy behaviours, such as being physically active, which contribute to these outcomes."
These findings underscore the complexity of alcohol’s effects on health and highlight the need for further research to untangle these relationships. While moderate drinking may be associated with certain lifestyle factors that promote overall well-being, it is not a cause of these benefits. The overarching message remains clear: reducing alcohol consumption is likely to be beneficial for health, especially in older adults.
As society continues to evolve in its understanding of alcohol, this research serves as a critical reminder of the potential risks associated with even moderate drinking. Public health interventions should consider these findings, particularly for vulnerable populations, to help foster healthier communities.