“In men, they found increased alcohol consumption correlated with an increased incidence of both squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Both men and women showed an increased lifetime risk of basal cell carcinoma associated with the intake of wine specifically, and also an increased lifetime risk of melanoma with spirit intake.”
Gender also plays a role – because women are usually smaller, weigh less and have less muscle mass, alcohol tends to enter their bloodstream more quickly.
Why you can’t cope with alcohol after 50
The impact of booze tends to be greater as we get older: less efficient bodies just cannot tolerate it as well. Alcohol affects kidney function by suppressing vasopressin, a hormone that tells the kidneys to hold on to fluid. Dehydration occurs, resulting in headaches and tiredness. There is also a greater risk of contracting a urinary infection.
Booze impairs rapid eye movement, known as REM, the most restorative part of sleep, which results in tiredness and lack of concentration the next day. As we age, good-quality rest is essential to maintain brain function and our ability to manage our lives. Add other factors – the hungover morning after usually means less healthy food choices, irritability and inability to cope well – and the chances of doing any exercise are, frankly, pretty non-existent. Andrew Misell, a director at Alcohol Change UK, adds: “Better care for ourselves in our midlife equates to feeling in good health, more positive and resilient. Drinking too much or too often won’t help us achieve that.”
For women, this time of their lives is synonymous with menopause. Dr Louise Newson, a GP and menopause specialist, says: “Some patients will admit they are drinking more as a way to numb menopause symptoms, but alcohol can make things worse. It impacts your circadian rhythm (our internal body clock that regulates cycles of sleepiness and alertness), leading to more disruption and that horrible foggy feeling in the morning.
“In addition, alcohol can worsen anxiety and lower mood, both of which are common menopause symptoms due to the fluctuation and falling of the hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone during menopause. Alcohol, particularly red wine, often triggers hot flushes and night sweats – though it’s worth pointing out that evidence is mixed in this regard. Another thing I find is that women can be unaware of the wider health implications of heavy alcohol consumption, such as an increased risk of mental health problems and osteoporosis.”
The Royal Osteoporosis Society says that “alcohol affects the cells that build and break down bone”.
Alcohol-related risks as we age
Experts say our cognitive ability rises sharply, peaking in our mid-30s, before levelling off and declining from our mid-30s onwards. So once we reach midlife, our reflexes, balance and concentration are not as sharp, our eyesight and hearing are affected, and our judgement is already compromised. Alcohol will exacerbate this. Consequently, falls, car accidents and mishaps in the home tend to happen more frequently if drinking is involved.
