A new study in the Netherlands published in February analyzed alcohol consumption in later life and its impact on longevity. The objective was to find out whether light-to-moderate alcohol intake is related to reduced mortality, a subject that is still widely debated, notwithstanding the fact that many studies have shown moderate alcohol intake to have favourable effects on a number of diseases and on mortality as well as longevity for the elderly.
The authors investigated the relationship between alcohol drinking characteristics with the probability to reach 90 years of age. Analyses were conducted using data from the Netherlands Cohort Study. Participants born in 1916 and 1917 (n = 7,807) completed a questionnaire in 1986 (age 68-70 years) and were followed up for vital status until the age of 90 years (2006-2007).
The authors found statistically significant positive associations between baseline alcohol intake and the probability of reaching 90 years in both men and women. Overall, the highest probability of reaching 90 was found in those consuming 5 to 15g of pure alcohol per day ( +/- 1 to 2 drinks per day), when compared with abstainers. The exposure-response relationship was significantly non-linear in women, but not in men. Wine intake was positively associated with longevity (notably in women), whereas spirits consumption was positively associated with longevity in men and inversely in women. Binge drinking pointed towards an inverse relationship with longevity. Alcohol intake was associated with longevity in those without and with a history of selected diseases. The conclusion drawn by the authors is that moderate alcohol consumption increases longevity.
This study was praised by a number of scientists for its quality and for adding valuable information about the effects on mortality of moderate drinking in the elderly, confirming the existence of the J-shaped relationship between alcohol intake and life expectancy, after having controlled for many confounders. According to them, this study “tends to counter fears expressed by some that the very elderly must be ‘protected' from alcohol, as it suggests that there are still health benefits from moderate drinking at all ages. Further, the reduction in the risk of cardiovascular diseases is especially important in the elderly. This critique provides references to a multitude of research reports that strengthen the conclusions of the authors that, even among very elderly subjects, moderate drinking is associated with greater longevity of life”.
Cheers!
