New findings from a long-term Danish cohort study reveal that heavy drinking and smoking are strongly associated with visible signs of premature physical aging, often making people look older than their years. Light to moderate alcohol intake showed no connection to accelerated biological aging. Nor did it offer protection against these signs, with similar prevalence among moderate drinkers and non-drinkers. Researchers drew on data from over 11,500 adults, tracking their cardiovascular health and aging markers for an average of 11.5 years. Launched in 1976, the study followed Danes aged 20+ from the Copenhagen area during clinic visits in 1981-83, 1991-94, and 2001-03.
Prior to each visit, participants reported on lifestyle, health, alcohol, and smoking habits. Clinicians assessed four aging signs previously tied to higher cardiovascular risk and mortality: earlobe folds; grayish opaque ring or arc around the peripheral cornea of both eyes (arcus corneae); yellow-orange plaques on the eyelids (xanthelasmata); and male pattern baldness (receding hairline or bald spot on crown).
Participants averaged 51 years old (women 21-86; men 21-93). Weekly alcohol averaged 2.6 drinks for women and 11.4 for men. Over half the women (57%) and two-thirds of men (67%) were current smokers.
Arcus corneae was most prevalent, affecting 60% of men over 70 and women over 80. Xanthelasmata was rarest at 5% in both sexes over 50. Male receding hairlines struck 80% of men over 40.
Heavy drinkers faced elevated risks: women consuming 28+ drinks weekly (vs. ≤7) had 33% higher odds of arcus corneae; men at 35+ drinks saw 35% increase. Smoking a pack daily for 15-30 years raised women's risk by 41% and men's by 12% versus non-smokers. Light/moderate drinkers matched non-drinkers in aging signs. Male baldness links were inconsistent, likely due to genetic and androgen influences, per researchers.
