Some studies have also found associations between shorter telomeres and pulmonary disease and liver disease. First, alcohol deprives you of vital nutrients your skin needs to thrive. So, overdoing the drinks can make you look older than you are.
- Depriving yourself of adequate sleep can make you age faster.
- It’s something that affects one’s entire system, starting from the cellular level.
- Hair & Nails – Your hair and nails can become brittle when you drink regularly, studies have even shown that alcohol can cause hair loss.
In fact, depression in older adults often aligns with drinking too much. Many people enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two on occasion with friends or family, but alcohol can be addictive. As we age, alcohol consumption can also make existing health problems worse and have dangerous interactions with some medications. Anyone at any age can develop an unhealthy reliance on alcohol.
How Do Drugs Make You Age Faster?
That’s where alcohol comes in — it dehydrates you and dries out your skin. Collagen and elastin are compounds responsible for tight, plump, and youthful skin. The greatest underminer of this support system is sugar (glucose and fructose). High glucose and fructose levels link with amino acids in collagen and elastin.
- When people talk about drinking “alcohol,” they’re almost always referring to the consumption of ethanol.
- The greatest underminer of this support system is sugar (glucose and fructose).
People who drink even a moderate amount are at higher risk for traffic accidents, possibly resulting in injury or death to themselves and others. (Note that even without alcohol, the risk of a car accident goes up starting at age 55.) Also, older drivers tend to be more seriously hurt in crashes than younger drivers. Katie has always enjoyed a glass of wine to unwind a few times per week. In recent months, her one glass has turned into two or more, sometimes even a whole bottle.
Alcohol Makes You Feel Older Than You Are
Another more recent study found that any amount of alcohol causes harm to the brain. Alcohol is a factor in about 30% of suicides and fatal motor vehicle crashes, 40% of fatal burn injuries, 50% of fatal drownings and homicides, and 65% of fatal falls. People should not drink alcohol if they plan to drive, use machinery, or perform other activities that require attention, skill, or coordination. Miami real estate agent Alina Freyre said she and her husband, Andy Freyre, stopped drinking two years ago.
While heavy drinkers are more likely to have cirrhosis (permanent damage to your liver), even moderate drinking can lead to problems like fatty liver disease. It also can make it harder for your kidneys to do their thing. There are many ways alcohol can put an extra strain on your body. Alcohol causes your body to release more stress hormones, which speeds up the aging process. It also affects the healthy functioning of your digestive system, making it harder for you to absorb essential nutrients. This includes vitamins A, B, D, and E; minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc; and even basics like proteins and carbohydrates.
Alcohol Causes Oxidative Stress
People who drink daily do not necessarily have alcohol use disorder. And not all who misuse alcohol or have alcohol use disorder drink every day. But heavy drinking, even occasionally, can have harmful effects. Other people develop a harmful reliance on alcohol later in life. Sometimes this is a result of major life changes, such as the death of a spouse or other loved one, moving to a new home, or failing health. These kinds of changes can cause loneliness, boredom, anxiety, or depression.
Many medicines — prescription, over the counter, or herbal remedies — can be dangerous or even deadly when mixed with alcohol. Many older people take medications every day, making this a particular concern. Regular does alcohol make you look older exercise doesn’t just improve cardiovascular health; it can also improve circulation, which can leave your skin looking youthful. Exercise also improves muscle tone, which prevents skin sagging as you get older.