Alcohol consumption accelerates aging, a genetic study from Oxford University suggests

Advertisements for alcoholic beverages often include images of young people consuming them with gestures of joy and laughter. However, alcohol consumption contributes to the acceleration of the aging processes of the human body, according to a study conducted by scientists at Oxford University in England.

Traditionally, investigation of the relationship between alcohol consumption and longevity has been difficult due to the lack of reliable methods for measuring biological aging. Furthermore, it was not clear from observational studies whether alcohol was the true cause of any effects or whether it was related to other factors, such as socioeconomic status.

But researchers at the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Population Health have published the results of a new gene-based analysis suggesting that alcohol directly accelerates aging by damaging the DNA of telomeres. The results were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Telomeres are repeating DNA sequences that cover the ends of chromosomes and protect them from damage. Telomere length is an indicator of biological aging, as between 50 and 100 DNA bases are lost each time a cell reproduces. When telomeres become too short, cells cannot divide and may die. Previous studies have linked shorter telomeres to an increased risk of several age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and heart disease.

In this analysis, researchers studied the relationship between alcohol consumption and telomere length in more than 245,000 UK Biobank participants. They used a genetic method called Mendelian randomization, the first time this method has been applied to investigate the effects of alcohol on aging. This method uses “genetic markers” to predict each participant’s level of exposure.

In this study, the researchers used genetic variants that have already been associated with alcohol use and alcohol use disorders in genome-wide association studies. To complement the Mendelian randomization analysis, the researchers also performed an observational assessment, based on the participants’ self-reported weekly alcohol intake at the time of recruitment.

In the observational analysis, a significant association was identified between heavy alcohol consumption and decreased telomere length. Compared with drinking less than 6 units of alcohol per week (about 2 8-ounce glasses of wine), drinking more than 29 units per week (about 10 8-ounce glasses of 14% alcohol by volume) was associated with between 1 and 2 years of age-related change in telomere length.

Individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder have significantly shorter telomere lengths compared to controls, which equates to between 3 and 6 years of age-related change. Similarly, in Mendelian randomization analysis, higher predicted alcohol consumption was genetically associated with shorter telomere length. An increase from 10 units to 32 units per week was associated with the equivalent of 3 years of aging.

However, the association between genetically predicted alcohol consumption and telomere length was only significant for those who drank more than 17 units per week. This indicates that minimal alcohol consumption may be necessary to damage telomeres. The analysis also found a significant association between genetically predicted alcohol use disorder and telomere length, equivalent to about 3 years of ageing.

Most of the participants were currently drinking, while only 3% had never drunk and 4% had been previously drunk. It was 51% of men and 49% of women, and the mean age was 57 years.

Dr Anya Tubiwala, study leader at Oxford Population Health, said: “These findings support the suggestion that alcohol, especially at excessive levels, directly affects telomere length. Telomere shortening has been suggested as a risk factor that can cause many serious age-related diseases, such as IBD. Alzheimer’s Our results provide additional information for clinicians and patients seeking to reduce the harmful effects of excess alcohol.In addition, the dose of alcohol matters: even reducing alcohol consumption can have benefits.

Dr Richard Piper, Executive Director of Alcohol Change UK, said: “We welcome all research on the effects of alcohol on the human body. This study specifically shows a clear relationship between alcohol consumption and aging, and points to a possible link between alcohol and Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers are transparent that this study does not prove a causal relationship, but they also provide a well-argued thesis on the possible biological mechanism. Overall, there is a growing body of scientific evidence showing exactly how alcohol causes many health problems and early deaths.”

According to the American Health Organization (PAHO), alcohol is a risk factor for more than 200 health disorders. Most alcohol-related deaths are due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and trauma. The American continent ranks second in terms of alcohol consumption and burden after the European region. Alcohol consumption is expected to increase if more effective policies are not implemented.