Health

Alcohol poses these 8 risks to older adults, experts warn

Published

1 year ago

January 25, 2025

Alcohol poses these 8 risks to older adults, experts warn

The negative health impacts of alcohol have been in the spotlight since the surgeon general’s recent advisory, and now experts are warning that older drinkers might be more sensitive to those effects.

As an individual’s body changes with age, so may a person’s tolerance when it comes to drinking.

“As we age, our lean body mass and the water percentage in our body decreases,” Dr. Frederick Davis, associate chair of emergency medicine at Northwell Health on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.

ALCOHOL LINKED TO CANCER RISK IN US SURGEON GENERAL’S NEW ADVISORY

“This leads to a decrease in our ability to metabolize alcohol at the same rate as when we were younger, leading to smaller amounts causing more impairment.”

Some studies have also found that older drinkers might be more susceptible to alcohol’s effect on coordination, reaction time and memory.

Experts are warning that older drinkers might be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol. (iStock)

Healthcare experts warned of the following negative effects of alcohol that can worsen as people age.

1. Heightened cancer risk

In a 2023 study published in the journal Alcohol, chronic heavy alcohol consumption was found to cause DNA damage and oxidative stress, which can lead to an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular events and liver disease.

It is well-known that alcohol increases the risk of developing various cancers, according to Dr. Frances Lee, who treats alcohol-related liver disease at Mount Sinai Health Systems in New York City.

6 TIPS TO REDUCE ALCOHOL USE AND CANCER RISK AFTER SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING

“Age is the main factor for developing cancer — and while we can’t stop the aging process, we can control alcohol intake, which can help reduce our overall risk of developing various cancers,” he told Fox News Digital.

Earlier this month, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., issued an advisory warning of the link between alcohol consumption and certain cancers. Murthy noted that consuming alcohol increases the risk of liver, breast, esophageal, colorectal, esophageal, larynx, mouth and throat cancers.

2. Inflammation and insomnia

Misuse of alcohol can accelerate age-related changes, including systemic inflammation and sleep disturbances, according to the same study in the journal Alcohol.

Chronic use of alcohol in large quantities can contribute to inflammation throughout the body through a process initiated in the gut.

Additionally, the prevalence of insomnia tends to increase with age, and alcohol consumption can worsen it, according to researchers.

Several studies found that although alcohol initially has a sedative effect, it wears off after a few hours and results in disrupted sleep in the second half of the night.

Sleep deprivation is widely known to affect overall health and well-being.

3. Insufficient nutrition

Older adults need to be cautious when consuming alcohol due to nutritional concerns.

That’s according to Laura Feldman, a registered dietitian nutritionist and assistant professor of nutrition at Long Island University Post Campus in Brookville, New York.

Older adults need to be cautious when consuming alcohol due to nutritional concerns, according to a registered dietitian. (iStock)

“We need more of many vitamins and minerals as we age,” Feldman told Fox News Digital.

“When consumed on a long-term basis, alcohol can actually make it harder for the body to absorb these nutrients from foods.”

4. Worsening of existing conditions

Some older patients may have underlying chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and heart disease, several health experts told Fox News Digital.

“Not only can alcohol worsen the progression of these chronic conditions, it can also interact with medications, potentially increasing the risk of drug-induced liver injury or other undesired side effects of the medications,” Lee said.

“When consumed on a long-term basis, alcohol can make it harder for the body to absorb nutrients from foods.”

Those who have diabetes or pre-diabetes should be mindful of their alcohol intake, Feldman cautioned, as it can have a direct impact on blood sugar levels.

Alcohol may also affect bone health, which particularly affects those with osteoporosis.

Long-term alcohol consumption can interfere with bone growth and replacement of bone tissue, which can result in decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures, according to several studies.

5. Medication interactions

An estimated 87% of adults aged 65 and over and more than 90% of those over age 75 take prescription medications, according to data from the 2021-2022 National Health Interview Survey.

Combining medications with alcohol can potentially have adverse effects on health, according to Davis from Northwell Health.

The prevalence of insomnia tends to increase with age, and alcohol consumption can worsen it, according to researchers. (iStock)

“Alcohol can interact with a number of medications, making it more difficult to manage and control certain conditions and leading to more side effects,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Avoiding alcohol as we are older can reduce these risks and result in a better chance of a higher quality of life.”

6. Increased pain sensitivity

Chronic pain is one of the most common and potentially debilitating health issues facing older adults, studies have shown.

Alcohol crosses the blood brain barrier, which plays a role in its depressive and addictive effects.

Alcohol can exacerbate this issue by increasing an individual’s sensitivity to pain, some health experts shared with Fox News Digital.

“Chronic pain is a complex process of signals to our brains that is different from acute pain,” Lee said. “The complicated neural signaling of chronic pain can be altered and enhanced with alcohol intake.”

7. Mental and cognitive effects

Lee said that alcohol — a known depressant — readily crosses the blood brain barrier, which plays a role in its depressive and addictive effects.

Heavy alcohol use has also been found to increase the risk of dementia.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“Alcohol intake can also worsen cognitive decline, causing issues with memory, as well as worsening some behavioral issues like depression,” Davis told Fox News Digital.

8. Increased fall risk

The risk of falls is known to increase with age. They are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Falls “can lead to debilitating injury when we are older,” noted Davis, who specializes in emergency medicine.

Earlier this month, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, issued an advisory warning of the link between alcohol consumption and certain cancers. (iStock)

Alcohol impairment could affect one’s balance and coordination, leading to a higher chance of falls, the doctor cautioned.

Tips on cutting back

Those who are caring for older adults should approach conversations about alcohol consumption with a focus on collaboration rather than control, according to Jonathan Davis, CEO of Trualta, a U.S.-based company that provides education and support for caregivers.

Broaching the topic with empathy and respect will help to build trust while meeting the aging adult’s emotional and physical needs, he added.

“For some older adults, enjoying an alcoholic beverage may provide a sense of normalcy and autonomy,” Davis told Fox News Digital.

Seeking a healthcare provider’s guidance can help ensure that the person understands the potential risks and interactions, he noted.

If an individual is struggling with alcohol, experts recommend speaking to a healthcare provider who can recommend support systems and medications if necessary. (iStock)

“Together, caregivers and older adults can develop a plan that balances safety with emotional well-being.”

Davis also recommended exploring alternatives to alcoholic beverages, such as mocktails, alcohol-free drinks or specialty teas that can provide similar enjoyment without the risks of alcohol.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Lee also suggested engaging in activities that do not typically involve alcohol.

If an individual is struggling with alcohol, experts recommend speaking to a healthcare provider who can recommend support systems and medications if necessary.

Amy McGorry is a contributing health writer for Fox News Digital. Follow her on Twitter @amymcgorry.

Health

Common nighttime noise exposure may trigger heart problems, study suggests

Published

6 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Common nighttime noise exposure may trigger heart problems, study suggests

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Living near heavy traffic could negatively impact your heart health.

A European study, published in the journal Environmental Research, found that exposure to nighttime road traffic noise is linked to changes in the blood, leading to worsened cholesterol and cardiovascular risks.

The researchers considered data from the U.K. Biobank, Rotterdam Study, and Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, including more than 272,000 adults over the age of 30, according to a press release.

Nighttime road noise exposure was estimated at all participants’ homes based on national noise maps. Researchers also took blood samples to measure the participants’ metabolic biomarkers for disease, then mapped the link between nightly noise levels and existence of biomarkers.

Exposure to loud noise was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers. (iStock)

The study found that people exposed to louder noise at night — especially sounds above 55 decibels — showed changes in 48 different substances in their blood. Twenty of these associations “remained robust” throughout all cohorts.

Exposure to loud noise was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers, especially LDL “bad” cholesterol, IDL (intermediate-density lipoprotein) and unsaturated fatty acids.

NEARLY 90% OF AMERICANS AT RISK OF SILENT DISEASE — HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

As noise levels increased, starting at around 50 decibels, cholesterol markers rose steadily, the release stated.

The authors concluded that this study “provides evidence that nighttime road traffic noise exposure from 50 dB upward is associated with alterations in blood cholesterol and lipid profiles in adults.”

Researchers noted a link between traffic noise and cardiometabolic disease. (iStock)

Study co-author Yiyan He, doctoral researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland, noted that in this type of research, small effect sizes are expected, and environmental exposures such as traffic noise are “typically modest.”

SIMPLE NIGHTLY HABIT LINKED TO HEALTHIER BLOOD PRESSURE, STUDY SUGGESTS

“Despite this, we observed statistically robust and consistent associations across many biomarkers, especially those related to LDL and IDL lipoproteins,” she told Fox News Digital.

MISSING SLEEP MAY TAKE A HIDDEN TOLL ON YOUR BRAIN AND LONGEVITY, RESEARCH REVEALS

“We also identified a clear exposure-response pattern starting at around 50 dB, suggesting that metabolic changes become more evident as noise levels increase.”

This aligns with public health guidance, as the World Health Organization recommends lower nighttime noise limits at around 40 to 45 dB, Yiyan He added.

“This finding may clarify the association between traffic noise and cardiometabolic diseases,” the researchers wrote. (iStock)

“The 55 dB level is often used as an interim benchmark associated with substantial noise annoyance and sleep disturbance,” she said. “In our study, we observed associations not only at 55 dB, but also indications of effects emerging at around 50 dB.”

The strength and consistency of the cholesterol-related associations were surprising, as these changes are usually “subtle.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“Instead, we found consistent associations across multiple large European cohorts, which strengthens confidence that the findings may reflect real biological patterns,” Yiyan He went on. “We were also interested to see that effects were minimal below ~50 dB, suggesting a possible threshold-like pattern.”

HEART DISEASE THREAT PROJECTED TO CLIMB SHARPLY FOR KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

The researcher noted that these findings were consistent across genders, education levels and obesity status.

The study was restricted to White Europeans, which posed a limitation. There was also a lack of information on the fasting status in the UK Biobank.

Changes in cholesterol levels were more severe than researchers expected. (iStock)

“Fasting can influence levels of certain metabolites, particularly fatty acids,” Yiyan He said. “However, based on UK Biobank documentation, fewer than 10% of participants were fasting for at least eight hours, and our main findings focused on cholesterol-related biomarkers, which are generally less sensitive to short-term fasting.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The researchers also lacked information on bedroom location, indoor noise exposure and time spent at home.

“These factors may introduce non-differential exposure misclassification,” Yiyan He said. “Additionally, noise exposure estimates were based on participants’ temporary residential addresses at the time of blood sampling, without considering the duration of residence.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“Many of these limitations would tend to bias results toward the null, so the consistent associations we observed remain noteworthy.”

Experts recommend taking measures to limit traffic noise at night. (iStock)

Based on this latest research, Yiyan He noted that nighttime noise is a “health-relevant exposure,” not just “an annoyance.”

“Our findings suggest that nighttime traffic noise may subtly but consistently affect metabolic health,” she said. “While the changes in cholesterol and lipid levels for any one individual are small, traffic noise affects a very large number of people, which means the potential public health impact could be substantial.”

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The researcher recommends taking measures like improving sound insulation, using noise-reducing strategies and placing bedrooms on the quieter side of the home when possible.

“Because sleep is a key pathway linking noise to health, protecting the nighttime sleep environment is especially important,” she added.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.

Health

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and a Faster Metabolism

Published

17 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and a Faster Metabolism

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and Fat Burn | Woman’s World

Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.

Use escape to exit the menu.

Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login