That said, here is what the studies indicate. It's important to note that most findings refer to moderate consumption, defined as one alcoholic drink a day for women and up to two for men. Also, the benefits are confined to people who do not have ailments, like chronic liver disease, or take medications, like psychoactive drugs, that would render any amount of alcohol risky, writes Jane E. Brody in the International Herald Tribune.
Heart disease. While many studies have emphasized the benefits of red wine to cardiovascular health and longevity, more than 100 studies in 25 countries have linked these benefits to moderate consumption of any type of alcoholic beverage. On average, moderate drinkers 50 and older are less likely to suffer heart attacks and die prematurely than abstainers and heavy drinkers.
Diabetes. Though it may seem counterintuitive, a controlled clinical trial of nondiabetic older women found that insulin sensitivity was improved among those who consumed two drinks a day. In studies of men with diabetes, drinking up to two drinks a day was associated with lower levels of factors linked to an increased risk of heart disease, like markers of inflammation and arterial dysfunction.
Dementia. Although excessive alcohol drinking can raise the risk of dementia in older people, there are emerging data to suggest that moderate alcohol intake - one to three drinks a day - is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. In this case, drinking wine confers the primary benefit; drinking beer, on the other hand, appears to raise the risk of dementia.
Osteoporosis. Several studies have suggested that elderly women who drink moderately tend to have better bone density. But chronic heavy drinking "can dramatically compromise bone quality and may increase osteoporosis risk," H. Wayne Sampson of Texas A&M University Health Science Center in College Station has reported for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Furthermore, skeletal damage from excessive drinking is not reversible.
Psychosocial effects. Although there is relatively little research on the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on mental and social well-being among the elderly, studies in retirement communities have noted an improvement in social interactions, health-related quality of life and survival.
Nutrition. Again, there is not a lot of research, but studies so far indicate that an alcoholic drink taken with meals can improve appetite and the consumption of calories and nutrients needed by many elderly people.
SŁOWNICZEK
tonic or a toxin - lekarstwo, czy trucizna
randomized - uśredniony
moderate consumption - umiarkowane spożycie
counterintuitive - wbrew intuicji
inflammation - stan zapalny
bone density - gęstość kości
can dramatically compromise - może dramatycznie pogorszyć
