Moderate Alcohol Consumption Might Reduce Risk Of Dementia

A few beers every week could reduce a person’s risk of dementia. That’s according to a fascinating new observational study put together by the French National Institute of Health & Medical Research and University College, London (UCL).

According to Forbes.com, this study tracked the health and drinking habits of over 9,000 Britons from 1985 till 2004. At the start of the study, participants ranged in age from 35 to 55. Researchers asked patients how much alcohol they consumed on average every few months and analyzed correlations with each patient’s health data.

At the end of the study, over 395 people had dementia. The median age these patients were diagnosed with dementia was around 75.

Study participants who either drank nothing or drank over 14 units of alcohol every week had a greater chance of developing dementia than people who only drank between 1 and 14 units of alcohol per week. The risk of dementia increased by 17 percent every 7 additional units added on top of 14 units per week.

The reason people who abstain from alcohol showed a higher risk of dementia may have to do with a greater chance of developing diseases like stroke or diabetes. Scientists hope a more detailed government-backed study will further elucidate these findings.

Study authors pointed out, however, that the most important finding in their study was the connection between alcohol abuse and dementia risk. With an increasingly aging population, it’s important for health officials to warn those at risk of diseases like dementia to only consume a minimum amount of alcohol.

In their study, scientists said this research shouldn’t encourage people who aren’t already drinkers to pick up the habit. Although moderate alcohol consumption might have certain health benefits, drinking still carries with it a heightened risk of liver disease and cancer.

Séverine Sabia, who works at UCL’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, was the lead author on this study. A few other key researchers include Drs. Aurore Fayosse, Annie Britton, and Tanime Akbaraly.

The British Medical Journal published this study under the title, “Alcohol consumption and risk of dementia: 23 year follow-up of Whitehall II cohort study.”