There's Nothing as Foolish as Boasting About Drinking Well: Understanding the Impact of Alcohol on Aging.

Alcohol, designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Group 1 carcinogen, induces various cancers, damages the brain, and leads to addiction. Moreover, alcohol accelerates aging, causing changes in appearance and advancing the onset of age-related diseases. How does alcohol affect aging?

 

The Mechanism by Which Alcohol Accelerates Skin Aging

Alcohol dehydrates the skin, leading to dryness, and weakens the skin's immunity. When the body metabolizes alcohol, it expels moisture, causing the skin to feel dry and tight. Additionally, the toxic substance acetaldehyde, produced during alcohol metabolism, stimulates the secretion of the inflammatory substance histamine, which can cause redness on the skin. This process can result in skin swelling, itching, and the formation of dark spots due to blood vessel dilation. These processes diminish the skin's regenerative ability and elasticity, leading to the formation of wrinkles, a major mechanism for accelerating skin aging.

 

Alcohol is a major factor in accelerating aging, with effects ranging from the skin to the brain.

 

The Impact of Alcohol on the Brain and Aging

Alcohol also affects brain cells. Studies have confirmed that the brain ages with alcohol consumption, and the more alcohol consumed, the faster the brain ages. This not only damages brain cells and leads to alcohol-related dementia but also alters the actual age of the brain. Furthermore, alcohol can advance the onset of diseases commonly occurring after middle age. Alcohol inhibits the function of osteoblasts, which build bones, and interferes with the metabolism of vitamin D, which is involved in calcium absorption, leading to conditions such as osteoporosis. It also promotes heart aging, leading to cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia.

 

Precautions and Coping Strategies When Drinking Alcohol

When consuming alcohol, it's best to consume as little as possible and drink plenty of water in between. Avoiding cocktails made by mixing various alcoholic beverages and refraining from smoking while drinking are habits to avoid. After drinking alcohol, consuming foods such as fruits and vegetables that alleviate hangovers and aid in alcohol metabolism is advisable. Choose fruits and vegetables with high water content and low bitterness. Engaging in conversation while drinking can slow down the pace of drinking and help reduce alcohol consumption.

 

Alcohol is a major factor in accelerating aging, with effects ranging from the skin to the brain. To delay aging and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it's important to consume alcohol appropriately.