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A small amount of alcohol can help seniors live longer
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Addiction to alcohol among the population of our planet still remains a pressing issue, even though scientists have proven the significant harm caused by alcohol to the body. Various studies in this area are ongoing and experts prove again and again that excessive alcohol consumption leads to serious consequences. But in one of the latest studies, scientists concluded that regular alcohol consumption can be beneficial, but not for everyone. During the experiments, scientists found that alcohol has a beneficial effect on women over 65 and on men from 50 to 65 years old, but on condition that there are no other pathologies and disorders in which alcohol consumption is prohibited.
The new research project involved scientists from Australia and the UK, who came to some interesting conclusions along the way.
During the experiment, which lasted ten years, the specialists studied the health data of more than fifty thousand people aged fifty years and older. At the beginning of the experiment, all volunteers answered questions about the amount of alcohol they drank each day. Taking this data into account, the specialists monitored the life and health of the volunteers for 10 years. At the end of the study, the scientists carefully studied all the changes in the health of the experiment participants that occurred during this period.
Ultimately, according to the results, most of the volunteers did not receive any health benefits from drinking alcohol. A positive effect was noted only among women over 65 years old who preferred to drink a glass of wine daily, as well as among men aged 50-65 who drank about two liters of beer per week. This group of men and women, compared to people who did not drink alcohol at all, were less at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
But experts once again emphasize that alcohol is useful in moderate doses. As is known, alcohol has a strong effect on other organs and systems of the human body, so alcohol abuse can lead to various diseases, including cardiovascular pathologies.
Experts noted that women over 65 can drink alcohol, but in small quantities. In addition, drinking alcohol helps older women to increase their life expectancy. As experts noted, if you drink five small portions of alcohol per week, this will help reduce the risk of sudden death.
It should be noted that with moderate alcohol consumption, the probability of death in women decreases by almost 30%. As for the male sex, alcohol has a positive effect on men from 50 to 65 years old.
These findings are supported by other earlier studies, which found that moderate alcohol consumption has a beneficial effect on the body. However, experts once again warn that excessive consumption of such drinks can provoke the opposite effect.
Despite all the findings and conclusions, the question of the benefits and harms of alcohol remains open.
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