New Research Challenges Beliefs About Alcohol adn Brain Health
For years, moderate alcohol consumption, like a daily glass of wine, was often considered harmless, and even potentially beneficial for health. However,new research published in UNJ Evidence-Based Medicine challenges this long-held view,suggesting that any level of alcohol consumption may increase teh risk of dementia.
“The idea that low-level alcohol consumption is good for brain health is incorrect. Genetic data shows otherwise,” states Dr. Anya Topiwala.
Why Previous Studies Were Misleading
Some earlier studies indicated that individuals who consume small amounts of alcohol had a lower risk of dementia compared to those who abstain entirely. Experts now explain that this data was likely skewed. The “never drink” category frequently enough included individuals who were former heavy drinkers or had stopped drinking due to pre-existing health issues.
“The reasons for cessation of alcohol have distorted the data, showing them as healthier than those who drink less,” explains Professor Keith Humphreys of Stanford university.
Genetic Data Reveals a Clearer Picture
To address these limitations, researchers from Oxford, Yale, and Cambridge employed a two-step approach. First, they analyzed alcohol consumption data from hundreds of thousands of individuals in England and the United States. Then,they examined the genetic data of 2.4 million people across 45 different studies.
The findings were conclusive: increased alcohol consumption, as determined by genetic predisposition, was consistently linked to a higher risk of dementia.Importantly, the study found no safe limit; the risk increased proportionally with consumption.
“While this work doesn’t prove direct causality, it contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that alcohol increases the risk of dementia,” notes Professor Tara of Edinburgh University.
Sir David Spiegelhalter, a statistician at the University of Cambridge, cautions that the genetic prediction method relies on certain assumptions and that the results should be interpreted with care.
