Most of us know alcohol isn’t ideal for our health. But the specific ways it affects the brain, gut, hormones and our sleep, and why those effects become more pronounced as we age, are less well understood.
Leading psychiatrist and neuropsychopharmacologist Professor David Nutt joins Liz to explain exactly what happens in the body from the very first sip, why women become significantly more vulnerable in midlife, and what the science says about how to drink with healthy ageing in mind.
Stream the episode below, or download the recording via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
What you need to know about alcohol in midlife
As we move through midlife, alcohol can start to affect us differently.
Hormonal shifts mean that the same glass of wine may disrupt sleep, mood and energy more than it once did. At the same time, its wider effects on the body, from inflammation to immune health, become harder to ignore.
On gut health and immunity
One of the lesser-known effects of alcohol is how it impacts our gut health. Regular drinking can disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria while also irritating the gut lining, creating a knock-on effect throughout the body.
“Alcohol depresses the activity of the good gut bugs and inflames the gut lining,” says Professor David Nutt. “That then interferes with the immune system, making people more vulnerable to infections.”
On longevity and long-term health
Beyond the day-to-day effects, alcohol also plays a bigger role in how well we age. From increased inflammation to its impact on blood pressure and cellular health, even moderate drinking can quietly influence long-term wellbeing.
“For most people who don’t smoke, the best thing you can do to increase your longevity is to reduce your drinking,” says David.
Taken together, it’s a reminder that in midlife, alcohol isn’t just about the next-day hangover, but the cumulative effect on how well we feel, function and age.
In this episode:
- Why alcohol affects women’s bodies differently – and more so in midlife
- What’s actually causing your hangover (it’s not just dehydration)
- How alcohol damages the gut and suppresses your immune system
- When even one drink disrupts deep, restorative sleep
- The brain chemical that makes us want to drink – and how to get it in other ways
- What drives addiction and why so many people use alcohol to manage stress, anxiety and trauma
- What cutting back for just one month can do for key health markers
- The growing world of functional alcohol alternatives
Links mentioned:
More from David
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- Pre-order Liz’s new book, How to Age
- A Better Second Half
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