Recent research suggests that harms associated with moderate or even low levels of drinking may be greater among people who are poorer or in worse health. This study comes on the heels of another piece of research that indicated the benefits of alcohol had been exaggerated and its harms downplayed by previous studies. Dr. Rosario Ortolá, a co-author of the study from the Autonomous University of Madrid, emphasized that while drinking low amounts of alcohol may have some benefits for older people at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, these benefits are small and can be achieved through other means such as a better diet or more exercise.
The study, published in the journal Jama Network Open, utilized data from the UK Biobank health database provided by participants who signed up between 2006 and 2010. The researchers analyzed data from 135,103 participants aged 60 and over, categorizing them based on their average daily alcohol intake into four categories: occasional, low risk, moderate risk, and high risk. The findings revealed that high-risk drinking was associated with a 33% greater risk of dying from any cause during the study period, as well as a higher risk of dying from cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Moderate-risk drinking was linked to a 10% greater risk of death from any cause compared to occasional drinking, and a 15% greater risk of death from cancer. Even low-risk drinking was associated with an 11% greater risk of death from cancer compared to occasional drinking. However, the study uncovered that moderate or low-risk drinking was more detrimental for individuals living in more deprived areas or those with poorer health.
Ortolá explained that older adults with worse health may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol due to factors such as greater morbidity, higher use of alcohol-interacting drugs, and reduced tolerance to alcohol. Additionally, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations may experience higher rates of alcohol-related harms even with equivalent or lower amounts of alcohol consumption, likely due to other health challenges and lifestyle factors.
Surprisingly, the study found that a strong preference for wine or only drinking with meals appeared to reduce the risk of death independently of the amount of alcohol consumed, particularly for those with poor health or high deprivation. Ortolá suggested that this could be attributed to factors such as the non-alcoholic components of wine or slower absorption of alcohol when ingested with meals.
While the study has limitations, including self-reported drinking data and the inability to establish cause and effect, it underscores the potential risks associated with even low levels of alcohol consumption. Colin Angus, a medical research fellow from the University of Sheffield, emphasized the need for further research to confirm associations between low levels of drinking and higher mortality among those in poorer health or lower socioeconomic groups. He also cautioned against assuming that wine consumption is inherently better for health, highlighting the importance of considering other factors such as socioeconomic status and lifestyle choices.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the complex relationship between alcohol consumption, health outcomes, and socioeconomic factors. It underscores the importance of considering individual health status and social determinants when evaluating the risks associated with alcohol consumption, and highlights the need for further research to better understand these relationships.
