A new study challenges decades-old beliefs about alcohol’s brain benefits, finding that even light drinking increases dementia risk. Researchers examined over 550,000 people aged 56 to 72 and analyzed genetic data from 2.4 million individuals, discovering no safe drinking level for dementia prevention. The study found dementia risk rose 15% each time drinking frequency tripled. Yale professor and senior study author Joel Gelernter now warns that “even a small amount of alcohol intake may have negative cognitive effects down the line.” Earlier research suggesting protective effects from moderate drinking was likely skewed because many non-drinkers had quit due to health issues. The genetic analysis countered alcohol’s supposed “protective” qualities, showing moderate intake shrinks gray matter and increases brain iron, both linked to neurodegeneration. (Story URL)
PHONE TOPIC: Would you give up drinking to possibly prevent health issues in the future?