BOSTON—Women who consume regular, moderate consumption of alcohol at midlife—the equivalent of one drink a day— may lead an overall healthier life as they age compared to women who do not drink or women who consume more than two to four drinks a day, according to a new study published in the journal PLoS Medicine.
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Brigham and Women's Hospital examined data from food frequency questionnaires given to the 121,700 female nurses enrolled in the US Nurses' Health Study to assess the alcohol consumption of the nurses during middle age. They included in their analysis the vast majority (98.1%) of participants who were not heavier drinkers (45 g/d) when middle-aged and examined the health status in the 13,984 women who lived to 70 years and over.
After adjusting for factors that might affect their health status, the researchers found women who consumed 15 g or less of alcohol a day had 20% higher chance of good overall health when they were about 70 years old. Women who consumed five to seven days a week were nearly 50% more likely to be in good health when they got older compared with those who did not drink. Study participants also had less major chronic illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes, or physical impairments or mental health limitations. The same is true in women who lived to age 70 and beyond.
The researchers noted the findings provide support for the 2010 USDA dietary guidelines that state the consumption of up to one alcoholic drink per day for women and up to two alcoholic drinks per day for men may provide health benefits. Importantly, they also suggest that drinking alcohol regularly in moderation rather than occasional heavy drinking may be associated with a greater likelihood of successful aging.
