Alcohol and Seniors: Guidelines and Risks

I decided to be a little controversial today, and research how much alcohol is ok for seniors. For us, alcohol consumption should be approached with caution due to age-related changes in our bodies and potential interactions with our medications and health related problems. But lets be a little more specific.

how much is too much.Photo byR.Gerner/Canva

Alcohol (ethanol) is produced by yeasts that digest sugar in certain carb-rich foods, such as grapes used to make wine, or grains used to make beer. Alcohol is one of our most popular psychoactive substances in the world. It can have powerful effects on your mood and mental state. But also on your body. For most seniors, moderate drinking is defined as:

For senior women: No more than 1 standard drink per day.

For senior men: No more than 1-2 standard drinks per day.

wine, beer or mixed drink?Photo byR.Gerner/Canva

Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, and frequent use can lead to increased fat inside liver cells, called a fatty liver. Alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis, a very serious condition, which is irreversible. And what about our brains? Because our brain is very sensitive to damage, chronic alcohol abuse may increase our risk of dementia and cause brain shrinkage in middle-aged and older adults . However, there is some research that indicates that some light drinking can help reduce chance of dementia. So, now, what do the professionals say is a " standart drink" . A standard drink in the U.S. typically contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to:

12 ounces of beer (about 5% alcohol) Ok, so basically one beer?

5 ounces of wine (about 12% alcohol) Ok, that's fine. Red wine appears to be beneficial because it is very high in healthy antioxidants. Just saying.

1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (about 40% alcohol) How much tequila goes into a Margie? HaHa.

Ok, now our health Problems:

problems like disease, depression, diabetes, etc.Photo byR.Gerner/Canva

Alcohol can interact with medications, leading to increased side effects or reduced effectiveness. Not just our medications, but chronic health issues as well. There are many articles on alcohol and various drugs, as well as different diseases, like Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc. if you're interested. Please pick reliable websites,as there are many.

Seniors with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or liver disease should be especially cautious. The American Heart Association stresses that if you don’t drink, don’t start, and if you do drink, it is crucial to limit how much you drink. In regards to diabetes, your overall diabetes risk tends to drop with light to moderate alcohol consumption. However, when it comes to heavy drinking and binge drinking, your risk rises. Consider depression, and weight gain, and how alcohol affects both. Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for cancers of the mouth, throat, colon, breast and liver as well.

As people age, their bodies may metabolize alcohol more slowly, making them more sensitive to its effects. One drink may be all we can tolerate. Alcohol abuse is the third main cause of preventable death in the US, as it’s a large factor in chronic diseases, accidents, traffic crashes and social problems.

just say NoPhoto byR.Gerner/Canva

In some cases, it may be best to avoid alcohol altogether, particularly for those with certain health conditions, those taking specific medications, or those who have a history of alcohol misuse. Before making decisions about alcohol use, seniors should consult with their doctors to ensure it’s safe based on their individual health and medications.

Resource:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/alcohol-good-or-bad#

Medically reviewed by A. Bernstein, MD, ScD Written by A. Arnarson BSc, PhD 4/24/2023