The effects of alcohol are always love-hated at the same time. Want to know what effect drinking alcohol has on lifespan? Let's talk about it today.
There is a direct link between alcohol consumption and longevity
In October 2023, a research team from the Hubei Central Theater General Hospital published a study in the journal Public Health England covering 11,558 people aged between 40 and 79 years.
It was found that after the age of 40, the greater the amount of alcohol, the more obvious the decline in longevity protein in our body. Even light drinkers who drank only a little bit of alcohol had lower longevity protein levels than those who didn't drink at all.
Those sayings of "small wine and pleasant feelings, prolonging life" may have to put a big question mark!
Drinking has a unique place in many cultures. In some places, it is part of social activities or even a symbol of social status. When people get together and raise a glass of drink, it always seems that they can bring people closer together.
However, the physiological effects of alcohol are a big issue that cannot be ignored. Alcohol is toxic and capable of causing damage to several critical organs such as our liver, heart, and brain.
If drinking becomes a habit, it can lead to a series of chronic diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver and certain types of cancer, which we do not want to see.
Cardiovascular system
Drinking alcohol in moderation may have some benefits for cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption can increase the level of high-density lipoprotein (commonly known as "good cholesterol") in our blood.
This good cholesterol is good for our heart because it helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
At the same time, moderate alcohol consumption is also believed by some studies to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. These are all possible positive effects of moderate drinking.
However, drinking alcohol is really a double-edged sword. While drinking in moderation sounds like so many benefits, the consequences can be very serious once you drink too much.
Long-term heavy alcohol consumption puts an additional burden on the heart, leading to high blood pressure and hypertrophy of the heart muscle.
If you consume more than 50 grams of alcohol a day for more than 10 years, it can seriously damage the heart muscle cells and reduce the heart's ability to contract, which can lead to a series of cardiovascular problems, such as alcoholic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and even coronary atherosclerosis, in which case angina pectoris or even myocardial infarction may occur.
So, when we talk about alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health, we really need to look at the specifics. The amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, as well as the health of each person, are all key factors that affect the effectiveness of drinking.
For some people, drinking alcohol in moderation may be beneficial, but for others, especially those with pre-existing health conditions, drinking alcohol can be "adding fuel to the vinegar" and be harmful to their health.
The safest way to get the right amount is to do it under the guidance of a doctor. Everyone's body condition is different, and the amount of alcohol they can tolerate will also vary.
While enjoying the pleasure of drinking in moderation, don't forget to pay attention to your body signals to ensure that your health is always a priority.
immune system
We tend to focus on the effects of alcohol consumption on the liver or heart, but few mention of the potential harm that alcohol can do to our immune system.
In fact, the blow to immunity caused by long-term heavy drinking is not a piece of cake, and this effect is manifested on multiple levels, so let's take a look at them one by one.
Alcohol directly destroys our immune cells, including those white blood cells and lymphocytes.
These cells play an important role in our immune system, acting as the body's guardian saints, responsible for defending against foreign aggressors such as viruses and bacteria. When these immune cells are impaired, our bodies are more susceptible to infections.
Then, long-term excessive alcohol consumption can also reduce the amount of antiviral substances in our body, such as interferon. Interferon is a very important protein whose task is to help our cells resist the invasion of viruses.
Without the adequate protection of interferon, the virus is more likely to cause havoc in the heavenly palace, making our health worse.
In addition, alcohol can lead to an increase in pro-inflammatory substances in the body, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα).
To put it simply, it is this substance that puts our body in a "state of war", and an excessive inflammatory response can not only make us feel uncomfortable, but can also lead to more serious health problems in the long run.
All of these factors add up to a dramatic reduction in our body's ability to fight off pathogens, making us more susceptible to a variety of ailments, including major problems like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
So, if we want a healthy immune system, controlling the amount of alcohol we drink is an essential step.
Mental health
When alcohol is consumed in excess, it is not only the main culprit for physical health problems, but it can also cause or exacerbate several mental health problems.
Alcohol abuse can cause or worsen some pre-existing mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. This is because alcohol is able to disrupt the neurotransmitters in our brains, which are chemicals that help us regulate our mood and behavior.
If the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain is disrupted, then your mood and behavior may become unpredictable, which is why some people experience great mood changes and even depression and anxiety after drinking.
Alcohol dependence is not just a matter of personal habit, it is actually a mental health condition that is recognized by the medical community. Alcohol dependence can severely affect a person's functioning socially, professionally, and in other important areas of life.
People who have been dependent on alcohol for a long time may find it increasingly difficult to carry out normal social activities without alcohol or to be productive at work, which are the direct consequences of alcohol dependence.
Heavy alcohol consumption over long periods of time may cause damage to the nervous system, which can not only cause cognitive decline, but can also lead to behavioral problems.
For example, alcohol may make a person more aggressive or make people less able to control their impulses. These changes in behavior are not only harmful to the individual, but can also cause harm to those around them.
Each of us needs to take responsibility for our drinking behaviour and do so in moderation to ensure that our mental health is not affected. Seeking professional help in a timely manner when experiencing any mental health issue is key to staying healthy.
sleep
Many people may think that a small drink will help you fall asleep, but in fact, while alcohol may actually make you fall asleep faster in the early stages, it can be detrimental to the quality of sleep in the long run.
Alcohol has a significant impact on the structure of our sleep. It can interfere with our normal sleep cycle, especially deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, is essential for our body's repair and recovery, while REM sleep is a critical stage of mental recovery, when dreams are at their most active.
Alcohol reduces the duration of these two phases, which directly affects our mental state the next day.
After drinking, you may find yourself waking up more often during the night. This is because alcohol breaks the continuity of sleep and makes it difficult for your brain and body to fall into a deep sleep again every time you wake up, ultimately leading to a decrease in sleep quality.
Another important effect is the so-called "rebound effect". You may feel drowsy after a few hours of drinking, but when alcohol is gradually metabolized by the body, your sleep may become lighter, which is known as the rebound effect.
This can lead to more erratic sleep in the second half of the night, further reducing sleep quality.
Therefore, if you are really after a good night's rest, it is a wise choice to try to avoid drinking alcohol before bed. This is especially true for those who need to look their best the next day.
For those who already have sleep problems, the best thing to do is to seek professional medical advice and not let alcohol become an exacerbating factor.
Alcohol on the digestive system
Alcohol acts directly on our gastric mucosa. It thins the protective layer of the gastric mucosa, which is the first line of defense for our stomach. When this protective factor is destroyed, the cells of the gastric mucosa are stimulated, causing the cells to die or even fall off.
This condition may progress to gastritis or more severe gastric ulcers, or even erosion and bleeding of the gastric mucosa. This is not just a minor stomach upset, but a serious health problem that may require medical intervention.
Let's talk about the pancreas. This gland, located at the back of the stomach, plays a key role in our digestion process, especially in the digestion of fats and proteins.
Long-term heavy alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation of the pancreas, a condition called pancreatitis, which can cause long-term damage to the function of the pancreas.
To make matters worse, alcohol can also interfere with the way the pancreas produces insulin, which in turn increases the risk of diabetes. These are all serious consequences that can come with drinking too much alcohol.
Not only the stomach and pancreas, but also alcohol is absorbed through our intestines and metabolized in the liver. This process can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiome, as well as impaired integrity of the intestinal epithelium.
When these occur, our bodies may be deficient in important micronutrients such as short-chain fatty acids and trace elements, which are essential for maintaining our immune function and organ health.
So, if you want to protect your digestive system and ensure overall health, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink is definitely a wise choice.
Maintaining healthy drinking habits will not only keep you away from these digestive issues, but it will also help you maintain overall health and vitality.
The next time we raise a glass, let's remember to stop in moderation, cherish our health, and enjoy a happy life!
References are as follows:
[1] "The Lancet" blockbuster: How much alcohol is moderate? Young people will face higher health risks when they drink alcohol!
[2] Alcohol
[3] The effect of alcohol on the cardiovascular system.