The Effects Of Alcohol Consumption Increase With Age And Brain Changes
Effects Of Alcohol Consumption: As people age, muscle mass decreases and fat increases. This leads to a decrease in body water, resulting in higher alcohol concentration in the blood.
By the time you reach your 60s and 70s, you may notice that the red wine you drink with meals feels heavier than the wine you drank when you were younger. Experts say this sensation is not usually related to a decrease in the body’s tolerance. Some believe that when people return to drinking alcohol after months or years of abstinence, they experience this sensation. However, experts consider other factors, such as age-related changes, to be involved.
Effects Of Alcohol Consumption, According to The Washington Post, older adults are more susceptible to cognitive and physical harm from alcohol consumption. These harms make them more prone to risks like falls, car accidents, and respiratory problems related to substances.
One theory suggests that as the body ages, it changes in ways that affect how alcohol impacts the system. A study in 2023 showed that with age, muscle mass decreases while body fat increases, which leads to lower body water content. The research found that reduced water in the body increases blood alcohol concentration with every drink, potentially causing significant harm to the body.
Effects Of Alcohol Consumption, Another possibility is that as metabolism slows with age, the breakdown of alcohol becomes slower, which increases alcohol concentration in the blood and leads to more disruptions. However, a recent laboratory study failed to establish a link between age and slower alcohol metabolism.
According to Aaron White, senior scientific advisor and director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in the U.S., the increased effects of alcohol on individuals, such as balance issues, coordination problems, delayed reactions, attention and concentration difficulties, memory problems, impaired driving, and severe hangovers, are likely due to natural changes in brain function that occur with age. He explains, “Alcohol does the same thing it always did, but changes in the brain make the effects of alcohol stronger.”
Other Considerations You Should Know
Effects Of Alcohol Consumption, Increased sensitivity to alcohol makes older adults more vulnerable to the disorders and consequences of drinking, which may also be related to their health conditions and medications.
Medical Conditions
Research suggests that when age-related walking difficulties combine with the effects of alcohol, balance and cognitive ability are impaired, increasing the risk of falls. Experts say alcohol can also affect memory, sleep, and other health aspects. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that drinking alcohol can increase the risk of certain diseases, such as chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections, or worsen these conditions.
Medications
Effects Of Alcohol Consumption, Older adults take more medications than younger individuals. Peter Martin, Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences, and Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, says some medications, especially antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-seizure drugs, which interfere with cognitive function, amplify the effects of alcohol. He highlights that sedatives and anti-anxiety medications, especially benzodiazepines, are the most concerning. These medications affect the brain because they don’t mix well with alcohol.
Effects Of Alcohol Consumption, Experts warn that older adults with specific medical conditions or who take medications should consult their doctor about potential interactions between alcohol and their medications before consuming alcohol.
Also Read:
The Connection Between Alcohol And Cancer: A Scientific Overview
Alcohol Consumption In Elderly: Alcohol Is Harmful To The Elderly, Even In Small Amounts
The Probability Of Developing Dementia After Age Of 55: A 40% Risk
