B is for Booze and the Aging Brain

Simple, Practical, Science-Based Tips for a Long Healthy Life

We’ve written about alcohol before (click here for A is for Alcohol) and with “dry January” upon us, let’s address one reader’s question about how alcohol affects the brain as we age. Today’s post is B is for Booze and the Brain.

As it goes with research, the results on alcohol and the aging brain are mixed. That is because there are so many facets to the “aging brain.” Cognition and cognitive impairment, intelligence, memory, thinking, and reaction time are but a few of the functions tied to the brain. Does alcohol intake affect all or some of these functions?

Then consider chronic diseases that are more common with aging: heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure…. all can affect the brain. Add in another layer…medications. About 90% of older adults take at least 1 prescription drug, almost 80% regularly take at least 2, and 36% regularly take at least 5 different prescription drugs. When you add in over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements, these rates are even higher.

Here’s what we do know about alcohol and aging:

• Alcohol is a depressant meaning it slows down brain and nervous system function.
• The ability to metabolize alcohol declines with age.
• Body composition changes, such as the proportion of fat to muscle tends to increase, even if body weight is stable. This means a higher blood alcohol content due to less body water.
• Reaction times and motor ability tend to slow with age – and drinking reduces these abilities further.
• Women make less of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which helps to metabolize alcohol, meaning women can feel the effects of alcohol more than men.

The research on alcohol and the aging brain clearly shows that heavy drinking is bad….for many more things than just brain function. But you already knew that. Moderate drinking (defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as one drink a day for women and two for men) has not been shown to slow cognitive decline in memory or attention of older adults, who are regularly drinkers of a low to moderate levels.

However, there is much more that is unknown than known about the effects of low to moderate alcohol intake on the aging brain.

We’ve said it before and we will say it again, alcohol is not “health” drink. While it is enjoyed in many cultures around the world, it is a drug and drugs have consequences. (A pharmacist I knew defined drugs as “poisons with desirable side effects.”)  

What Does It Mean For You?

• If you feel that alcohol is affecting you differently than it did when you were younger, think about your drink and cut back, cut out, or modify your habits. Only you know how alcohol affects you.
• If you choose to drink, consume alcohol with food to slow the rise in blood alcohol levels.
• Cut the alcohol volume by mixing it with club soda or sparkling water.
• Start happy hour or a meal with a glass of water before you drink alcohol.
• If you choose not to drink, enjoy the hundreds of mocktail recipes with no alcohol or switch to no or low alcohol wine or beer.

And, if you are looking for something to protect the aging brain, exercise and social activities help the brain and body in many ways!

Watch for our next blog: W is for Wrinkles! We’ll look at the latest research on wrinkles and what it means for you.

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