A leading dementia expert has revealed that cutting alcohol from your diet at the age of 65 may significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Dr. Richard Restak, an American neurologist and author of The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind, emphasizes the importance of avoiding alcohol after 65 to preserve brain health, according to the Daily Mail.
Dr. Restak, former president of the American Neuropsychiatric Association, explains that even minimal alcohol consumption in later years can accelerate the damage to nerve cells in the brain, making it harder to maintain cognitive function.
“Alcohol is a very, very weak neurotoxin,” he writes, warning that even occasional drinking can harm brain cells. He strongly advises individuals over 65 to completely abstain from alcohol to prevent age-related brain damage.
The recommendation to quit drinking at 65 comes at a critical time. According to research, the risk of developing dementia increases five-fold every five years after this age. Dr. Restak’s advice underscores the importance of safeguarding the brain as we age, as the neurons crucial for memory and cognitive function begin to deteriorate.
While excessive drinking has long been linked to dementia, with prolonged alcohol consumption shrinking parts of the brain, Dr. Restak’s statement highlights the broader impact of even moderate drinking.
Studies show that alcohol use disorder and high alcohol consumption are contributing factors to dementia, including a specific type called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, caused by a lack of vitamin B1, which alcohol disrupts.
In the U.K., nearly one million people are living with dementia, and that number is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades. Health experts are increasingly focused on lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, which is known to shrink brain tissue and potentially accelerate the onset of cognitive decline. The NHS recommends that adults limit alcohol intake to no more than 14 units per week, the equivalent of six pints of beer or a bottle and a half of wine.
Furthermore, research published in The Lancet links alcohol use disorder to early-onset dementia, particularly in individuals diagnosed before the age of 65. In a study of French adults with early-onset dementia, half had a history of alcohol misuse, showing a strong correlation between drinking habits and the early development of the disease.
Experts agree that while moderate drinking may have benefits for some people, the evidence linking alcohol to a lower risk of dementia is not conclusive. Instead, they recommend reducing or eliminating alcohol to lower the risk of developing cognitive issues later in life.
As dementia costs the U.K. economy around £43 billion a year, experts predict this figure will rise as the population ages. Cutting back on alcohol could be a simple yet effective way to delay or prevent dementia, making it a critical lifestyle change for those entering their senior years.
Written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.