People who are heavy drinkers or smoke often may age faster, or have visible signs of physical ageing and look much older than they are in reality. According to the study published in the journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, smoking one pack of 20 cigarettes daily was associated with a 41 per cent heightened risk among women and a 12 per cent heightened risk among men.
The study that was conducted on more than 11,500 adults was followed since the year 1976. Men and women who drank 28 or more drinks were more likely to develop physical signs of ageing as compared to non-drinkers or those who drank much less.
For the Danish-based study, the team quizzed the participants about their lifestyle and general health. They were asked to state how much they drank and smoked. They were then checked for four signs of ageing that have previously been linked to a heightened risk of cardiovascular ill health and/or death.
The four signs were: earlobe creases, a grayish opaque coloured ring, yellow-orange plaques on the eyelids (saintliest), and male pattern baldness (receding hairline or a bald patch on the top of the head).
The findings revealed that Arcs cornea was the most common sign of ageing among both sexes; with about 60 per cent prevelance among men over 70 and among women over 80. The study also revealed that he least common sign was xanthelasmata, with a prevalence of five per cent among men and women over 50.
Another common physical sign of ageing that was found to be common among men was a receding hairline which was witnessed in 80 per cent of those over the age of 40 affected.
(With Inputs PTI)
