Study: Moderate Wine Intake Safe for Healthy Seniors

A new study published in JAMA Network Open sheds light on the complex relationship between moderate alcohol consumption, particularly wine, and its impact on the health of older adults. Conducted by a team of researchers from the Autonomous University of Madrid, Harvard, and other institutions, this study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which includes health information from over 135,000 individuals aged 60 and above in the United Kingdom. The findings reveal that moderate alcohol consumption does not increase the risk of death or cancer in healthy older adults, but it does pose a significant risk for those with pre-existing health conditions or in lower socioeconomic positions.

For decades, the debate around alcohol consumption, especially wine, has been vigorous. Some research has suggested that moderate wine intake might offer protective benefits against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cognitive decline, particularly in older adults. However, the broader scientific consensus indicates that any alcohol consumption can increase the risk of certain cancers, and excessive drinking is undoubtedly harmful to health. This study aimed to clarify these conflicting findings by examining how alcohol affects older adults differently depending on their health status and socioeconomic context.

The study categorized participants based on their average daily alcohol intake, classifying them into groups ranging from occasional drinkers to those at high risk due to higher consumption levels. The researchers also considered the type of alcohol consumed and whether it was ingested with meals.

One of the study's most critical insights is that older adults with existing health problems or those in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions face a higher risk of death, particularly from cancer, even with what might be considered low or moderate alcohol consumption. Conversely, older adults without these risk factors did not show a significant increase in the risk of death associated with moderate alcohol consumption.

Wine with Meals: A Safer Option?

Interestingly, the study found that drinking wine during meals was linked to a lower risk of death, especially among those with health issues or socioeconomic disadvantages. The results indicated that consuming wine with meals could reduce the risk of death from all causes, particularly from cancer and cardiovascular diseases, compared to other drinking patterns. For instance, individuals with health issues who drank only during meals experienced a 7% reduction in their risk of death, while those in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions saw a 17% reduction.

The researchers suggest that drinking wine with meals might be safer due to several factors. Firstly, people who prefer wine may generally lead healthier lifestyles, which could influence the outcomes. Moreover, consuming wine with food may slow down alcohol absorption in the body, potentially mitigating some of the negative health effects of alcohol. Additionally, wine contains non-alcoholic components, such as polyphenols, which have been associated with various health benefits, including cardiovascular protection and cognitive preservation.

Despite its intriguing results, the study has several limitations. As an observational study, it cannot establish a direct causal relationship between alcohol consumption and the observed health outcomes. Moreover, the data on alcohol consumption was collected only at the beginning of the study, so changes in participants' drinking habits over time were not accounted for. Another limitation is the demographic homogeneity of the study participants, who were mostly white and UK residents, potentially limiting the applicability of the results to other populations.

However, the study also has notable strengths. It rigorously controlled for confounding factors, such as gender, ethnicity, smoking status, and educational level. By excluding individuals with excessive alcohol consumption, the researchers avoided conflating occasional drinkers who might have harmful drinking patterns with those who maintain a consistently moderate intake. Additionally, the focus on specific drinking habits, such as the type of alcohol and whether it was consumed during meals, adds valuable insight to the ongoing research on alcohol and health in older adults.

This study provides a nuanced understanding of how alcohol consumption, particularly wine, affects older adults depending on their health status and socioeconomic conditions. While it cannot be definitively claimed that alcohol consumption offers universal health benefits, the findings suggest that moderate wine drinking with meals could be a safer option, particularly for those without pre-existing risk factors. The research underscores the importance of considering individual health and socioeconomic factors when making recommendations about alcohol consumption in older adults.

Source: Ortolá R, Sotos-Prieto M, García-Esquinas E, Galán I, Rodríguez-Artalejo F. Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Mortality Among Older Adults With Health-Related or Socioeconomic Risk Factors. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2424495. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24495