Experts warn that the consequences of alcohol consumption change throughout life, affecting mental health in youth and the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer in old age, according to an analysis published by The Times The consumption of alcohol is a common social practice, but its impact on the body and mind changes significantly over time. The Times report describes how the cognitive and physiological effects of alcohol consumption change from youth, when alcohol tolerance appears to be higher, to adulthood and old age, when the risk of cardiovascular and neurological diseases increases. While at age 20 the body seems to resist excess, with age that perception changes. Factors such as decreased liver enzyme activity, hormonal changes and reduced muscle mass alter the way the body processes alcohol.
Dr Brooke Scheller told The Times: ‘With age, there is a natural decrease in liver enzyme activity.’ This requires a great deal of effort on the part of the body to eliminate toxins. Slowing metabolism increases sensitivity to alcohol and can intensify symptoms such as fatigue, craving for alcohol and weight gain.
20 years old: physical resistance, psychological vulnerability
At age 20, the body reaches its maximum endurance, but the brain continues to develop. The frontal lobes, responsible for thinking and decision-making, complete their maturation around age 25. Alcohol, acting as a depressant, can increase the risk of anxiety and depression, creating a particular vulnerability to mental health issues in this group.
30 years old: impact on fertility, skin and energy
At 30, many people are thinking about starting a family. Karen Tyrrell, chief executive of Drinkaware, pointed out that alcohol affects fertility in both men and women due to its ability to reduce sperm count and contribute to erectile dysfunction. Scheller added that the body prioritises alcohol metabolism over nutrient metabolism, which contributes to the development of vitamin B12 deficiency, which is important for fertility. In addition, prolonged alcohol consumption impairs energy balance and skin health due to inflammation and collagen damage, as well as slowing cell regeneration.
40 years old: impact on sleep, hormones and abdominal fat
With age, hormonal changes and sleep disturbances become more apparent. Scheller explained that alcohol impairs sleep and increases stress, altering cortisol rhythms and depleting nutrients such as magnesium, which are necessary for hormonal balance. Some drinks may induce earlier sleep, but they impair the depth of rest and the body’s regenerative capacity.
Gender differences affect metabolism: women need more time to eliminate alcohol, and this phenomenon intensifies with age. In men, reduced testosterone levels contribute to its conversion to oestrogen, which promotes fat accumulation in the abdominal region. Reducing the frequency of alcohol consumption can lead to noticeable changes in skin, mood, and daily energy levels.
50 years old: overlapping symptoms and cognitive risk
At age 50, physical and emotional discomfort is often attributed to menopause or ageing, but it is often related to alcohol. Scheller told The Times that ‘many people confuse the effects of alcohol with hormonal imbalance.’ Alcohol affects neurotransmitters in the brain, which exacerbates anxiety and stress. Even moderate alcohol consumption can decrease the amount of grey and white matter, which affects memory, decision-making and emotion regulation. In the long term, these changes increase the risk of cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
60 years old: cancer and bone fragility
At this stage, hormonal fluctuations decrease, but alcohol increases the risk of developing at least seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, colon, and oral cavity cancer. Experts interviewed by The Times highlighted the close relationship between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, which affects one in seven women. Alcohol also weakens bones by preventing remineralisation, which leads to faster wear and tear than regeneration.
70 years and older: blood pressure and heart
In old age, the effect of alcohol on blood pressure increases and raises the risk of stroke and cardiovascular complications. Scheller mentioned that blood pressure is usually one of the first indicators to improve after abstaining from alcohol. He also emphasised that reducing alcohol consumption has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health by decreasing inflammation and reducing the burden on the heart.
The experts agreed that reducing alcohol consumption has benefits at any age. Scheller recommended taking regular breaks of two to three months to give the body a chance to recover and balance itself, noting that a longer break can help one realise the difference that abstaining from alcohol makes. According to The Times, the impact of alcohol is cumulative and its effects increase over the years. Understanding how its impact changes at each stage of life allows us to identify the risks and the importance of adapting our drinking habits as we age.
