Biological age is not the same as chronological age. While chronological age reflects the number of years a person has lived, biological age indicates how quickly or slowly the body is aging. Lifestyle, diet, and alcohol consumption habits can all influence this process.

Alcohol is connected to biological aging. In 2023, researchers from Boston University, Northwestern University, and the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute utilized data from approximately 3,820 individuals, aged 24-92, who had participated in the Framingham Heart Study, a long-term cardiovascular health study in the U.S.

The findings revealed that even a modest daily increase in alcohol (ethanol) intake—equivalent to one 330 ml can of beer, one 150 ml glass of wine, or one 40-45 ml small glass of spirits—was associated with an increase of about five to nine months in biological age markers, particularly among middle-aged adults. Other studies also noted a connection between alcohol use disorder, drinking behavior, and various signs of aging. These studies consistently showed that individuals who consumed more alcohol tended to exhibit biological markers indicating faster aging.

Long-term, heavy alcohol consumption is linked to several biological aging markers. *Illustration: Ngoc Pham*

Healthy aging relies on the body's ability to maintain and repair cells, manage inflammation, metabolize energy, and recover from daily stressors. Heavy alcohol consumption can impair these essential processes. The Framingham study observed that certain biological aging markers could help explain the link between alcohol intake and increased blood pressure.

Alcohol not only impacts biological aging markers but also disrupts crucial processes for healthy aging, including sleep. While this beverage may initially induce drowsiness in some individuals, it does not lead to better restorative sleep. Alcohol can alter sleep architecture, causing fragmented sleep, which then hinders both physical and mental recovery. Regular evening alcohol consumption can result in insufficient or poor-quality sleep, becoming another factor that contributes to declining health over time.

The liver serves as the primary organ for metabolizing ethanol from alcohol. Excessive or frequent drinking can lead to the production of cell-damaging substances and promote inflammation during alcohol metabolism. Over time, this can elevate the risk of fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. While these damages are not direct manifestations of biological age, they underscore alcohol's long-term impact on the body.

Studies on biological age do not specify the exact amount of aging caused by a certain quantity of alcohol. The impact also depends on the amount of alcohol consumed, drinking frequency, duration of use, age, overall health, and numerous other lifestyle factors.

Assessing overall health cannot solely rely on biological age. Sleep quality, physical activity, diet, smoking habits, weight, and underlying medical conditions also influence the aging process. Limiting alcohol consumption, ensuring sufficient sleep, exercising regularly, and maintaining a balanced diet can mitigate adverse factors and promote healthy aging.

Compiled by Bao Bao