Impact of alcohol on aging

The impact of alcohol on aging is multifaceted. Evidence shows that alcoholism or alcohol abuse can cause both accelerated (or premature) aging – in which symptoms of aging appear earlier than normal – and exaggerated aging, in which the symptoms appear at the appropriate time but in a more exaggerated form.[1] The effects of alcohol use disorder on the aging process include hypertension, cardiac dysrhythmia, cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, neurocognitive deficits, bone loss, and emotional disturbances especially depression.[2] On the other hand, research also shows that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol may protect healthy adults from developing coronary heart disease.[3] The American Heart Association cautions people not to start drinking, if you are not already drinking. [4]

  1. ^ Alcohol, Aging, and the Stress Response, RL Spencer and KE Hutchison, Alcohol Research & Health, Vol. 23, No. 4, 1999 Archived 2018-12-11 at the Wayback Machine ...alcohol-related overactivity of the HPA axis and the resulting elevated cortisol levels may contribute to premature or exaggerated aging in many people with a long history of alcohol abuse.
  2. ^ Stevenson JS (2005). "Alcohol use, misuse, abuse, and dependence in later adulthood". Annu Rev Nurs Res. 23: 245–80. doi:10.1891/0739-6686.23.1.245. PMID 16350768. S2CID 24586529.
  3. ^ National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, "Understanding the impact of alcohol on human health and well-being."
  4. ^ "Is drinking alcohol part of a healthy lifestyle?".