The negative health impacts of alcohol have been in the spotlight. This is even as experts are now warning that older drinkers might be more sensitive to those effects.
As an individual’s body changes with age, so may a person’s tolerance when it comes to drinking.
Fox News reports that some studies have found that older drinkers might be more susceptible to alcohol’s effect on coordination, reaction time and memory.
The report stated that healthcare experts warned of the following negative effects of alcohol that can worsen as people age.
Heightened cancer risk
In a 2023 study published in the journal Alcohol, chronic heavy alcohol consumption was found to cause DNA damage and oxidative stress, which can lead to an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular events and liver disease.
Inflammation and insomnia
According to the same study in the journal Alcohol, several studies have found that misuse of alcohol can increase age-related changes, including systemic inflammation and sleep disturbances.
Chronic use of alcohol in large quantities can contribute to inflammation throughout the body through a process initiated in the gut.
Insufficient nutrition
According to Laura Feldman, a registered dietitian nutritionist and assistant professor of nutrition at Long Island University Post Campus in Brookville, New York, older adults need to be cautious when consuming alcohol due to nutritional concerns.
“We need more of many vitamins and minerals as we age,” Feldman told Fox News Digital. “When consumed on a long-term basis, alcohol can actually make it harder for the body to absorb these nutrients from foods.”
Worsening of existing conditions
Some older patients may have underlying chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and heart disease.
Interactions with medications
An estimated 87% of adults aged 65 and over and more than 90% of those over 75 take prescription medications, according to data from the 2021-2022 National Health Interview Survey.
Combining medications with alcohol can potentially have adverse effects on one’s health, according to Davis from Northwell Health.
Increased pain sensitivity
Chronic pain is one of the most common and potentially debilitating health issues facing older adults, studies have shown.
Alcohol can exacerbate this issue by increasing an individual’s sensitivity to pain.
Mental and cognitive effects
Heavy alcohol use has also been found to increase the risk of dementia.
Alcohol — a known depressant — readily crosses the blood brain barrier, which plays a role in its depressive and addictive effects.
Increased fall risk
The risk of falls is known to increase with age. They are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Alcohol impairment could affect one’s balance and coordination, leading to a higher chance of falls, the doctor cautioned.