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Alcohol consumption and leukocyte telomere length
Shalini Dixit1, Mary A Whooley1,2,3, Eric Vittinghoff3
1Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Scientific Reports
|February 7, 2019
Summary
Moderate alcohol consumption does not appear to benefit health or longevity. Study findings indicate no alcohol intake level is associated with longer leukocyte telomere length, a marker of biological aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Longevity Research
- Alcohol Consumption Studies
- Biomarkers of Aging
Background:
- The relationship between alcohol intake and mortality is often described as U-shaped, but benefits of moderate consumption are debated.
- Confounding factors may explain observed longevity in moderate drinkers; underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Optimal alcohol consumption levels for health are not established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between alcohol consumption patterns and leukocyte telomere length (LTL).
- To determine if moderate alcohol intake is linked to longer LTL or slower LTL attrition.
- To use LTL as a quantifiable biomarker of aging to assess alcohol's health impact.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of over 2,000 participants from two independent cohort studies.
- Measurement of leukocyte telomere length as a biomarker of biological age.
- Statistical assessment of alcohol consumption levels against LTL and LTL attrition rates.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between any level of alcohol consumption and longer LTL.
- Alcohol consumption was not linked to reduced telomere length attrition over time.
- Binge drinking may be associated with reduced telomere length.
Conclusions:
- Current data, using LTL as a health and aging biomarker, do not support health benefits of alcohol consumption, even in moderation.
- The study failed to identify an optimal alcohol intake level for promoting longevity or health.
- Findings suggest potential detrimental effects of binge drinking on cellular aging markers.
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