A recent study shows that drinking wine does not increase the risk of cancer or death in healthy older adults. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, was conducted by a team of scientists from the Autonomous University of Madrid, Harvard University, and other institutions. The study aims to shed light on how alcohol affects older adults, especially those with different health and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The complex relationship between alcohol and health
For decades, research has shown that drinking alcohol in small to moderate amounts, especially wine, can be beneficial to health. However, it has also been established that alcohol increases the risk of certain cancers and other serious health problems, especially when consumed in large quantities. This study aims to understand why moderate drinking is beneficial for some people and harmful for others.
Findings: Health and socioeconomic status matter
The study found that the risks associated with drinking alcohol depend largely on an individual’s health and socioeconomic status. Even when drinking only a small amount, older adults with health problems or poor economic conditions face a higher risk of death, especially from cancer. In contrast, healthy adults without these risk factors do not have an increased risk of death even when drinking moderately. Notably, people who drink mainly wine and drink with meals have a lower risk of alcohol-related health problems.
Effects of alcohol on older adults
The study highlights the health paradox of drinking in older adults. On the one hand, the likelihood of adverse effects from drinking increases with age, as older people take more medications and have health conditions that alcohol may exacerbate. On the other hand, some studies suggest that older people may derive the greatest benefits from moderate drinking, such as protection against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
Detailed Methods
The study analyzed data from more than 135,000 drinkers aged 60 and over from the UK Biobank, a large public health survey. Participants were categorized based on their daily alcohol intake, ranging from occasional to high-risk drinking. The study also considered the type of drinking and whether it was consumed with a meal. The researchers then compared participants based on their health and socioeconomic background using the frailty index and the Townsend deprivation index, a common measure of socioeconomic status in the UK
Drinking wine with a meal: the safest choice
The study found that for people with health or socioeconomic risks, even light or moderate drinking was associated with an increased risk of death, especially from cancer. However, for those without these risk factors, moderate drinking did not increase the risk of death, while occasional drinking did. Additionally, participants who enjoyed drinking and drank with meals had a lower risk of death, especially from cancer. The effect was strongest in those who drank only with meals, with a 7% to 17% lower mortality rate, depending on whether there were health or socioeconomic risks.
The protective effect of drinking wine with meals
The researchers believe that drinking wine with meals may be safer for a variety of reasons, including healthier lifestyles among wine drinkers, slower alcohol absorption with meals, and the presence of beneficial compounds in wine, such as polyphenols. These factors may help explain why wine drinkers generally have better health outcomes compared to those who drink other types of alcohol or drink with meals.
Study limitations and strengths
Like many observational studies, this study cannot establish direct cause and effect. The study relied on self-reported data, which can be inaccurate, and alcohol consumption was only measured at the beginning of the study, meaning any changes in drinking habits were not taken into account. In addition, the study subjects were primarily white and lived in the UK, so the findings may not apply to other groups.
Despite these limitations, the study has several strengths. The researchers controlled for various factors, such as gender, race, smoking and education, and excluded heavy drinkers to avoid biasing the results. The study’s focus on different types of alcohol and when it was consumed also provides valuable insights that are often overlooked in alcohol research.
Addressing the ‘sick quitter’ hypothesis
The study also aimed to avoid the “sick quitter” effect, a common problem in alcohol research, where non-drinkers may include former drinkers who quit due to health issues, which could skew comparisons. By focusing only on current drinkers, the researchers sought to provide a more accurate assessment of alcohol’s effects.
Conclusion: Drinking wine with a meal may be the safest choice
While this study does not conclusively prove that drinking wine has health benefits, it supports the idea that drinking wine in moderation with a meal may be the safest way to enjoy alcohol. However, definitive answers about the risks and benefits of alcohol will require controlled trials, which remain the gold standard for scientific research.
