Alcohol After 65: Why a Habitual Glass of Wine Becomes Dangerous

After 65, even a customary glass of wine carries new health risks, as the body tolerates alcohol less well with age. Muscle mass and fluid volume decrease, leading to higher blood alcohol concentration, faster intoxication, and increased risk of falls and fractures. The nervous system becomes hypersensitive, impairing memory and reaction. Alcohol raises risks of hypertension, diabetes, dementia, and cancer, and is dangerous when combined with medications. Experts advise no more than one drink per day and seven servings per week.

This article, based on material from The New York Times, explains why after age 65 even a habitual glass of wine becomes dangerous. With age, muscle mass decreases and fluid volume in tissues diminishes, so blood alcohol concentration is higher, intoxication occurs faster, and the risk of falls and fractures increases. The central nervous system becomes hypersensitive to ethanol: memory and reaction speed may deteriorate even after less than one standard drink. Regular alcohol consumption raises the risks of hypertension, diabetes, dementia, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, and exacerbates existing conditions. Particularly dangerous is combining alcohol with medications: blood pressure and diabetes pills lose effectiveness, sedatives and sleeping pills can cause respiratory depression, and aspirin increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Hangovers are harder to endure due to the overlap of intoxication symptoms with age-related sleep problems and fatigue. Experts recommend no more than one drink per day and a maximum of seven servings per week, listening to your body, and being honest with your doctor about how much you drink. Those who have never drunk should not start in old age.