A significant genetic study reveals that drinking speeds up biological aging.

The expanding collection of studies revealing the negative consequences of alcohol on health now includes a thorough new Oxford study.

 According to the extensive genetic analysis, drinking alcohol shortens telomeres, which directly speeds up aging.

Because alcohol is one of the most popular recreational substances, it is crucial to look at how it affects health. Sadly, numerous studies have shown that alcohol permanently alters DNA, directly contributes to the development of cancer, retards cognitive function, promotes early-onset dementia, and can cause the brain to shrink by the equivalent of 10 years of aging. And currently, a recent study has discovered additional proof that drinking alcohol can quicken biological aging.

On the ends of chromosomes, repeated DNA sequences called telomeres create protective caps. These "junk" sequences are lost in part with each cell division, and eventually telomere wear becomes severe enough to start affecting usable DNA. This stops the cell from dividing and is a factor in many biological aging symptoms. Thus, telomere length is frequently utilized as aaging biomarker.

Using information from more than 245,000 participants in the UK Biobank project, researchers from Oxford Population Health looked at the relationship between alcohol consumption and telomere length in the new study. The scientists employed a genetic method known as Mendelian Randomization (MR), which examines variants in certain genes - in this case, several that had previously been connected to alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders - to seek for any probable causes.

In the MR analysis, the team discovered a definite correlation between heavy drinking and shorter telomeres; individuals who drank 32 units of alcohol (roughly 11 glasses of wine) per week exhibited telomere shortening corresponding to about three years of aging, as opposed to those who drank 10 units. There was also evidence of telomere aging in those who had been genetically predisposed to alcohol use disorder.

The team used observational studies of participants' reported weekly drinking patterns to support their MR study.

 Similar findings were seen here: those who consumed more than 29 alcohol units (approximately 10 large glasses of wine) weekly displayed telomere shortening comparable to one to two years of aging, as opposed to those who consumed less than six alcohol units.units of alcohol each week, or around two glasses of wine.

It appears that the relationship is only significant for those who use more than 17 units per week, indicating that telomere damage does not occur until at least a moderate level of alcohol intake has been reached

.Despite the fact that the findings aren't definitive, the team maintains that the data is solid. For starters, those who had never consumed alcohol or had stopped drinking were not included in the study; only current drinkers were found to be affected. One particular gene, AD1HB, which is involved in the metabolism of alcohol, was also identified by the MR analysis as having the greatest influence.

Dr. Anya Topiwala, the study's principal author, stated that the results "confirm the idea that alcohol, particularly at excessive amounts, directly influences telomere length." Telomere shortening has been suggested as a risk factor for a number of serious age-related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Our findings add to the body of knowledge available to doctors and patients working to lessen the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Additionally, the dosage ofAlcohol is crucial; even cutting back on drinking could be advantageous.