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Hey here’s a benefit of drinking alcohol we didn’t see coming…It turns out that that drinking that nightly beer might actually help ward off dementia!
Here’s the deal….
A 23-year study, has concluded that those who abstain from drinking alcohol in middle age had a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who drank in moderation.
Yes some good news about alcohol…and not a moment too soon.
Researchers by the by University College London and the French institute for health assembled a total of 9,087 participants from the civil service, aged 35-55 years at the time of the study’s inception, to take part in a study tracking their drinking habits and mental health.
Published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the data found that abstinence in midlife was associated with a 45% higher risk of dementia compared with people who consumed between one and 14 units of alcohol per week (considered moderate drinking).
Presenting its findings the researchers stressed that drinking in moderation was important…
“Given that the number of people living with dementia is expected to triple by 2050 and the absence of a cure, prevention is key. We show that both long term alcohol abstinence and excessive alcohol consumption may increase the risk of dementia.”
“The UK guidelines suggest an alcohol threshold of 14 units/week but many countries use a much higher threshold to define excessive consumption. The present study encourages the use of a lower threshold of alcohol consumption in such guidelines, applicable over the adult life course, in order to promote cognitive health.”
Currently most drinking guidelines suggest that drinking less alcohol is ALWAYS preferable to drinking more, but given this study’s findings not drinking at all might be its own kind of risky behavior…at least with regard to dementia.
Among those to respond on the study’s, dare we say, ‘pro-alcohol’ findings was the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) in the United Kingdom….and their Head of Public Affairs was quick to tout alcohol’s benefits….
“Not only does moderate, sensible consumption of alcohol reduce the incidence of dementia compared to teetotalers, there is evidence it also has beneficial effects in guarding against type II diabetes, heart disease, stroke, macular degeneration and many other condition.”
“This study backs what we know, and the temperance movement refuse to accept – that the J shaped curve between alcohol consumption and life expectancy is real.”
“The social effect and positive benefits to mental health of having a beer with your friends and family in the pub also cannot be overlooked. That’s why SIBA and brewers across the country are backing the Long Live the Local campaign which aims to cut beer tax and protect that vital national institution – the UK pub.”
Notably, the study did not take into account participants’ drinking habits before middle age…So others such as Dr. Sara Imarisio, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK are taking a more cautious stance regarding its findings…
“Future research will need to examine drinking habits across a whole lifetime, and this will help to shed more light on the relationship between alcohol and dementia.”
