Alcohol is broken down through the work of three enzymes. Research shows that different people can have variations of the gene that produces these enzymes. The differences in these enzymes mean that some people metabolize alcohol differently from others. The NIAAA says that genetic differences in these enzymes may help to explain why some ethnic groups have higher or lower rates of alcohol-related problems. Genetics, body weight, gender, age, what type of beverage, food in your stomach, medications in your system, and your state of health, influence how people respond to alcohol.

Older drinkers are maybe even more likely to experience this. Their blood vessels are less elastic than young people’s. Therefore, drinking alcohol can compound the natural effects of aging. The people in the study were followed from 1976 to 2003 and provided information about their eating, smoking and eco sober house rating drinking habits. They also agreed to several medical exams to measure signs of heart disease and aging. Tolstrup specifically looked at four hallmarks of aging, including the formation of a grey opaque ring around the cornea in the eye, earlobe creases, plaques on the eyelids and male pattern baldness.

That’s where alcohol comes in — it dehydrates you and dries out your skin. People tend to feel the effects of beer or wine a little less. This may be because the water in beer and wine creates more volume to drink compared with an equal amount of alcohol in hard liquor.

Drinking Is Probably Aging You Much More Than You Realize

Generally, the lower your body weight, the less blood and water you have. So, smaller people usually have a higher ratio of alcohol in their blood if they drink the same amount a heavier person drinks. You might’ve been able to drink like https://sober-house.org/ this in your 20s, but as you age, alcohol may take an even bigger toll on your health. For instance, it might be beneficial to investigate telomeres in those previously diagnosed with AUD but who now no longer drink, said Kaeberlein.

From day one, Ria Health has offered support for the Sinclair Method—a medication-based approach to moderate drinking or abstinence with a 78 percent success rate. Remember to stay healthy for the fun things in life, such as the birth of a grandchild, a long-anticipated trip, or a holiday party. Check out an organization such as Alcoholics Anonymous that offers support and programs for people who want to stop drinking. Ask your doctor about advances in medication that might help you stick with alcohol abstinence longer or reduce cravings. Your health care professional may also be able to give you advice about treatment.

It’s no secret that unwanted weight gain can be a reality of menopause. Not only does an increase in body fat continue to slow down the metabolization of alcohol, but drinking alcohol, in turn, increases body fat. But at 38 years old, I couldn’t escape the consequences of drinking.

Besides a person’s health, drinking alcohol can have other negative effects on his or her body. Here is a closer look at how a person’s looks suffer from excessive alcohol consumption. A combination of factors related to long-term substance abuse causes malnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. You might not notice the effects right away, but your body keeps track at the cellular level. Cells contain strands of DNA called telomeres that protect your chromosomes from damage. While telomeres shorten naturally with age, a lack of exercise can also make your cells biologically older than physically active people.

Alcohol can cause a lack of rest from a depleted sleep cycle. Usually, alcohol makes a person toss and turn during the night. In other words, a person suffers from poor quality of sleep. Without being able to enjoy deep sleep, which is known to restore health, a person will look and feel much older than his or her actual age. Since alcohol depletes levels of vitamins, the skin’s collagen levels plummet.

Alcohol Beverage Laws for Retailers – Underage Alcohol Questions

In addition, alcohol dehydrates the body, meaning it draws moisture away from the skin cells, leading to dullness and sagging. If you or a loved one struggles to regulate or limit alcohol consumption, you don’t have to do it alone. Give your body the best chance at health and reclaim your youthful energy. Dehydration can sap your skin of moisture and elasticity, leading to sagginess, dryness, and wrinkles. Moreover, the older you get, the more likely you are to be dehydrated.

• The pros and cons of drinking alcohol are frequently relayed, and there’s a new addition to the ever-growing list.
• That damage can, in turn, contribute to diabetes, heart disease, neurodegenerative illnesses and other age-related conditions you want to avoid.
• NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
• In recent months, her one glass has turned into two or more, sometimes even a whole bottle.

If you drink heavily or consistently, you could activate the aging process, putting you at risk of health conditions that typically affect older people. Some types of dementia and alcohol-related brain sober houses in boston 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.

Almost every adult deals with arcus senilis by the time they’re 80. While this condition is generally harmless, it is a visible sign of aging. Research shows that people who drink heavily have a 33 percent greater chance of getting arcus senilis, a telltale gray ring around their corneas before they turn 60. The idea of having a drink to relax before bedtime may not be a good one, especially as you get older. Instead of lulling you into a restful night, alcohol can actually keep you from getting to sleep and lead to restless slumber. That can be particularly hard on seniors, who are already more likely to wake up often or have a sleep disorder like insomnia.

Alcohol Affects a Person’s Weight

Dr. Anya Topiwala, from Oxford Population Health, said the study’s findings support the theory that alcohol directly affects telomere length. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. Evan O’Donnell is an NYC-based content strategist with four years’ experience writing and editing in the recovery space.

Next, alcohol harms various organs, especially the liver. Along with a person’s exterior weight and skin, there are other aging issues that are related to excessive drinking. It becomes difficult to plan, pay attention, remember information, and learn. Excessive alcohol use increases free radicals in the body and causes sleep disruptions, which can lead to poor cognitive function. Women who had 28 drinks or more per week had a 33 percent higher chance of developing the same syndrome. By adding extra stress to your body and depriving it of the nutrients it needs to rebuild, alcohol can place you years ahead in the aging process, and affect how you look.

Top editors give you the stories you want — delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. I’ve always been healthy and fit, and I kid myself that a little poison can’t hurt me. That’s probably true — in fact, a little can be beneficial to your cardiovascular system. But by pushing the 14-a-week limit at my age, I’m also pushing my luck. Those are partly fromdehydration, a common condition among older people, sober or not.

Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cells naturally divide in the body, which is the most common path to telomere shortening. However, other elements — such as obesity, smoking, and chronic stress — have all been noted as possible influences. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, is the largest of its kind to date. It involved more than 245,000 individuals aged between 40 and 69 years old, with their data obtained from the UK Biobank.

Alcohol Might Speed Up Aging: Here’s How

Heavy smokers also had a greater likelihood of developing the age-related eye rings compared to non-smokers. Vidya Rao is a freelance writer and multimedia content creator with more than a decade of experience specializing in wellness, food and small business journalism. She’s passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices. Comparing those results with the other 70% of their brain scans, they found that the more you drank and smoke, the more likely you were to have a brain aged beyond your actual age.

It can harm the overall quality of your life.

Although alcohol affects different people in different ways, in general, it is quickly absorbed from your digestive system into your blood. The amount of alcohol in your blood reaches its maximum within 30 to 45 minutes, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism . This communication provides a general description of certain identified insurance or non-insurance benefits provided under one or more of our health benefit plans. Our health benefit plans have exclusions and limitations and terms under which the coverage may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, refer to the plan document or call or write your Humana insurance agent or the company.