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By depleting the body of vitamins and minerals, alcohol can impair immune function, reduce energy levels, and weaken bones, all of which contribute to the appearance and experience of aging. Alcohol dehydrates not only the body but also the skin cells, which can lead to a sallow, less vibrant complexion. Over time, this dehydration can cause skin to lose its plumpness and elasticity due to diminished collagen and elastin levels. One study demonstrated that people who were sedentary for more than 10 hours per day and exercised for less than 40 minutes had cells that were biologically eight years older than people who moved around more.
Other Aspects of the Alcohol and Aging Dilemma
Some types of dementia and alcohol-related brain damage develop as your brain cells shrink. Over time, heavy drinking can lead to loss of judgment, focus, and memory. You may have more trouble regulating your emotions or managing your coordination. From increasing our risk of cancer and liver damage to worsening pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, alcohol affects nearly every system in our body that impacts our health and well-being. Research examining the impact of alcohol consumption over a long period of time, as well as binge drinking, on biological aging has been limited.
Causes Complexion Changes
Replenishing vitamin D levels requires abstinence from alcohol so your organs can efficiently process and circulate it. Immune-related organs such as the thymus gland shrink faster among current drinkers, exhibiting atrophy similar to immunosenescence—the gradual decline of immunity with old age. DNA analysis shows excessive drinking accelerates the aging of immune system cells and genes. If you’re worried about the negative effects of alcohol on your health, Ardu can help kick aging stressors to the curb. Our nutrition therapy program complements your alcohol detox journey by providing education and meal planning guidance that is focused on restoring your health. Wrinkles and sagging are a normal part of the aging process because the skin cell turnover rate slows down, and new cells take longer to be created.
Tequila shows even more dramatic diminishing returns, with minimal quality differences between well-made 2-year-old añejo and much pricier extra añejo versions. This approach works especially well for spirits like vodka, gin, and unaged tequila, for which production methods create similar products regardless of branding. For wines, look for private labels that clearly state the region and vintage — this usually indicates quality sourcing. The main advantage here is eliminating the brand premium that often accounts for 30% to 50% of the price of national brands without sacrificing quality. Next time you shop, ask staff to point out their exclusive offerings — you might be surprised to discover your new favorite bottle costs much less than your current go-to.
Alcohol can lead to wrinkles and broken blood vessels.
Many craft distilleries now offer refill programs where bringing your bottle back saves you 15% to 25%. And those large 1.75-liter “handle” bottles of spirits typically cost 30% to 40% less per ounce than standard 750-milliliter options. By calculating the per-ounce cost of different options for products you buy regularly, you’ll often find that your packaging preferences are costing you a significant price for essentially the same product. Flexibility about format can lead to major savings without sacrificing quality. Most people don’t realize that alcohol prices follow predictable seasonal patterns.
- “We’re not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes,” geneticist Michael Snyder of Stanford University explained in August 2024 when the study was published.
- Additionally, they found that the younger you are, the greater the ageing effects.
- Experts didn’t mention going to extreme lengths like moving, but they did suggest taking extra precautions when temperatures rise.
- This strategy works especially well for wine you’ll drink regularly or bottles with aging potential.
- Because alcohol makes you more likely to do things that you might not otherwise do, consuming it can interfere with an otherwise healthy diet.
Telomeres are small biological caps on the ends of chromosomes which have the sole purpose of protecting the DNA in our chromosomes from getting damaged. These caps will naturally change over time, becoming shorter as we age. The shortening causes our DNA to become damaged, leading to the risk of developing illnesses like Alzheimer’s and heart disease, especially in our later years. “Heavy alcohol drinking might change the aging clock before one develops medical disease.
Research shows that alcohol levels generally considered safe for driving are not accurate for people over 60. Our programs are flexible and customized to target your specific needs. We work with individuals, couples, and families to ensure that you and your loved ones are on the same page when it comes Alcoholics Anonymous to your sobriety.
In addition to poor nutrient intake, alcohol also sabotages the sex hormone balance that is critical for healthy bone renewal. Moderate estrogen and testosterone levels allow for bone cells to be broken down and regenerated, which helps maintain bone density and flexibility. Heavy drinking disrupts hormone metabolism and bone cell regeneration. A 2019 study found that higher levels of alcohol consumption increase the severity of facial aging. Alcohol also directly impacts the brain, causing short-term effects like impaired judgment and coordination, as well as long-term effects like an increased risk of cognitive decline.
Additionally, it can cause the tiny blood vessels in your eyes to expand, making them appear bloodshot and tired. Continual alcohol consumption can lead to permanently dilated capillaries, contributing to a red and veiny appearance around the eyes. Alcohol’s impact on the immune system is alarming, as it can compromise the body’s ability to fight off infections. When the immune system is weakened, the body becomes more susceptible to illness, which can indirectly contribute to the aging process. Older people often have concerns about falling, which is a common cause of injury in seniors.
Even moderate drinking can have a negative effect on calcium balance and bone health over time. While we might not notice the effect of drinking on our cells, alcohol can speed up our aging process in many other ways. One of the most visible impacts alcohol can have is on our complexion, as drinking excessively is known to cause redness and dry, wrinkly skin. Alcohol can affect the way your body fights off life-threatening illnesses like tuberculosis or pneumonia. Researchers are also studying the possibility that alcoholic liver disease might be caused, at least in part, by your immune system attacking healthy body tissues.
Over time, alcohol can pile on the pressure, causing the liver to become overloaded and inflamed. Andrews expresses that this sets the stage for fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis and, in the worst-case scenario, cirrhosis—where the liver is scarred beyond repair and its ability to function goes downhill. Long-term excessive alcohol use can lead to various cancers, liver damage, immune system disorders, and brain damage. Vitamin D deficiency leaves bones weaker, reduces immunity, affects mood, and damages heart health.