Researchers have found that excessive alcohol consumption accelerates ageing.
Scientists at Oxford University believe that drinking more than five glasses of wine every week accelerates the body’s biological clock.
The telomeres of those who consumed more than 17 units of alcohol per week were shorter, as determined by an analysis of data from roughly 250,000 Britons.
Telomeres are caps found on the ends of chromosomes that preserve their DNA from harm, similar to how the “caps” on the ends of our shoelaces prevent fraying.
They naturally become shorter as we age, resulting in DNA damage and an increased chance of developing Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease.
Researchers have also connected longer telomeres to a youthful appearance.
The association was only detected in those who used at least 17 units of alcohol per week, which is three more than the NHS recommended.
The genetic and health data of 245,000 Britons from the UK Biobank were analysed by scientists.
The average age of the participants in the study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry was 57.
Most were current drinkers. Only 3% reported never having consumed alcohol.
Scientists searched the participants for genetic markers that have previously been linked to alcohol use and alcohol problems.
The researchers observed a strong correlation between increased alcohol use and decreased telomere length after analysing the data.
Those who consumed 29 units of alcohol per week, or approximately 10 big glasses of wine, had telomeres that were one to two years longer than those who used less than six units per week, or approximately two large glasses of wine.
Participants with an alcohol use disorder, and thus likely to have been heavy drinkers, were found to have considerably shorter telomeres than controls, equating to three to six years of biological ageing.
However, the researchers discovered that the relationship between telomere shortening and alcohol consumption did not become significant until persons consumed more than 17 units per week, which is about comparable to five glasses of wine.
This shows that persons who consume less than this amount of alcohol are not at risk for alcohol-related telomere shortening.
Dr. Anya Topiwala, an expert in psychiatry and the study’s lead author, stated that the findings indicated that heavy alcohol consumption reduced telomeres.
She stated, “Our results provide more information for doctors and patients attempting to reduce the adverse effects of excessive drinking.”
‘Furthermore, the amount of alcohol consumed is crucial; even limiting drinking could be advantageous.’
It is unknown exactly how drinking could shorten telomeres.
However, the researchers hypothesise that this may be due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which can cause DNA damage when the body consumes alcohol.
Alcohol Change UK’s chief executive, Dr. Richard Piper, applauded the findings.
He stated, “This specific study demonstrates significant linkages between alcohol consumption and ageing and suggests a possible link between alcohol and Alzheimer’s.”
The researchers acknowledge that this study does not establish a causal relationship, but they offer a compelling case for the likely biological process.
In general, a growing collection of research explains how alcohol causes so much ill health and so many premature deaths.
Adults should not use more than 14 units per week, which is equivalent to 14 single shots of spirit, six pints of beer, or half a bottle of wine.
Additionally, they should space out their drinking over at least three days to avoid binge drinking.
Numerous health problems, such as high blood pressure, stroke risk, and a variety of malignancies, have been associated to drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for many years.
Alcohol-related harm is predicted to cost the NHS in England alone £3.5 billion per year, and approximately 9,000 alcohol-related deaths were recorded in the United Kingdom in 2020.
A study commissioned by NHS England and conducted by the University of Sheffield and published today suggests that drinking habits acquired during the pandemic could result in over 25,000 deaths and cost the NHS £5.2 billion.
Heavy drinkers drank more during the pandemic, and they may never return to their previous levels.
Even in the best-case scenario, where all drinkers return to their 2019 drinking levels, researchers estimate that there will be an additional 42,677 hospital admissions and 1,827 deaths due to alcohol over the next 20 years.
In the worst-case scenario, this increased to 972,382 additional hospital admissions and 25,192 additional deaths, costing the NHS £5.2 billion. In the next 20 years, it is likely that 207,597 more people than usual will be hospitalised, and 7,153 will die, at a cost of £1,100,000,000.
The team predicted that ‘heavier drinkers and those living in the poorest areas’, who already suffer the most harm from alcohol, would be the hardest hit.
