A recent study finds that even low levels of alcohol consumption can be harmful, especially for older adults, challenging the notion that moderate drinking is healthy.
Recent findings suggest that alcohol, long believed to have certain health benefits when consumed in moderation, may actually pose significant risks—particularly for older adults. A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that even low levels of alcohol consumption can be detrimental to health, contradicting earlier beliefs that moderate drinking, especially of wine, could be beneficial.
Shifting Perceptions Among Americans
This new research aligns with changing public perceptions in the United States. According to a Gallup poll released recently, 45% of Americans now believe that having one or two alcoholic drinks a day is bad for health. This is the highest percentage recorded since the survey began in 2001. Younger adults, particularly those under 35, are leading this shift, with 65% expressing concerns about the health impacts of alcohol. This is a stark contrast to the views of older age groups, with only 37% of adults aged 35 to 54 and 39% of those 55 and older sharing this sentiment.
Declining Alcohol Consumption Among the Youth
As perceptions shift, so too do drinking habits, especially among younger adults. A separate Gallup poll found that only 62% of adults under 35 report drinking alcohol, down 10 percentage points from 20 years ago. This decline is partly driven by the growing popularity of non-alcoholic "mocktails" and a decreasing social pressure to drink.
The Health Risks for Older Adults
While younger generations are drinking less, the same cannot be said for older adults. The new study highlights that moderate drinking does not benefit the health of older adults as once thought. Instead, alcohol has been identified as a potent carcinogen and a contributor to various other diseases, including depression, liver, and kidney problems. The study tracked the health outcomes of over 135,000 adults aged 60 and older, finding increased health risks even among those classified as low-risk drinkers.
Dissecting the Study's Findings
The study defined low-risk drinkers as those consuming up to 10 grams of alcohol daily for women and 20 grams for men. Moderate-risk drinkers consumed up to 20 grams daily for women and 40 grams for men. Even in the low-risk category, individuals were found to be 10% more likely to die of cancer than occasional drinkers. The risks escalated with higher levels of consumption, with high-risk drinkers being 33% more likely to die from cancer, heart disease, and other causes.
The Complex Relationship Between Alcohol and Health
Interestingly, the study noted slightly lower risks of cancer and death among those who primarily drank wine or consumed alcohol with meals, despite their socioeconomic and health-related risks. However, experts like Dr. Timothy Naimi from the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research caution that these findings do not necessarily indicate that moderate drinking is beneficial. Instead, they may reflect other healthy lifestyle factors among these individuals, such as regular physical activity or dietary habits.
Less is More
The growing body of research, including the recent study, underscores a critical takeaway: when it comes to alcohol, less is more. For older adults, in particular, the healthiest choice may be to minimize or eliminate alcohol consumption altogether. As public awareness of the risks associated with drinking continues to rise, it's likely that more people will reconsider their alcohol use in the context of overall health and well-being.
This new understanding challenges the once-popular notion that a daily glass of wine is part of a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing the need for more research and public health guidance on alcohol consumption.
Source: CNN
Comentarios