As we age, our bodies respond differently to moderate drinking. According to Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk, a geriatrician and dementia expert, the impact of one to two alcoholic drinks per day varies based on age.
In your 20s, your body is resilient, making hangovers less severe. However, moderation isn’t necessary as you enter your 30s, where overall health becomes more important. Landsverk advises considering obesity’s risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver and alcohol’s impact on liver disease.
As you enter your 40s, health risks such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension increase the risk for heart attacks, strokes, and small stroke dementia. In your 50s, moderate drinking can lead to vascular damage, dementia risks, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, and liver cancer. Adding alcohol increases cancer risk drastically.
In your 60s, tolerance decreases dramatically due to age-related loss of enzyme metabolizing alcohol. Landsverk suggests treating alcoholic beverages like candy bars – enjoyable with meals but increasing weight, blood sugar, and chronic illnesses over time.
You don’t need to give up alcohol completely if you’re older and in good health. Moderation is key, and other factors influence the impact of alcohol on your health. Landsverk recommends enjoying a glass of wine occasionally, like she does, with a nice meal – but not every night.
Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/so-thats-why-drinking-alcohol-makes-you-feel-worse-as-you-get-older-goog_l_676472b0e4b0dfa0ebcd9b87