A new study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine suggests that even moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing cognitive issues or even cancer.
The findings are based on an extensive examination of more than 550,000 adults aged 56 to 72, as well as genetic insights from 2.4 million participants. The research found that even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of developing cancer or dementia.
While excessive alcohol consumption, defined as more than 12 drinks per week, had previously been linked to dementia, the latest findings suggest even minor amounts can contribute to the condition. The study contrasts with a previous one published in 20023 that suggested individuals who consumed one drink a day were actually less likely to develop cognitive decline compared to those who did not drink at all.
“For a long time we thought that the healthiest way to approach drinking and brain health was to take about a drink a day,” said the study’s senior author, Joel Gelernter, a professor of psychiatry, genetics and neuroscience at Yale University School of Medicine, per the Washington Post.
Even Gelernter used to enjoy a daily drink regularly; however, the latest findings have caused him to increasingly avoid alcohol.
“I think people should be aware that even a small amount of alcohol intake may have negative cognitive effects down the line. … And if that’s the most important thing to you, then you ought to reconsider drinking even a small amount,” he said.
While Natalie Zahr, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, says we should not fear alcohol, she suggests it should be enjoyed “at the right time, in the right place.”
Last year, The Dallas Express reported that Dr. Richard Restak, an American neurologist and author of The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind, suggested that cutting alcohol at the age of 65 could help significantly cut the risk of developing dementia. According to Dr. Restak, even small amounts of alcohol later in life can accelerate nerve cell damage in the brain, making it more challenging to maintain cognitive function.