Dementia is an overarching term for a group of neurodegenerative diseases (those affecting the brain) that adversely impair memory, cognition, and behavior over time.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are many others.
It’s possible that some individuals have more than one form of dementia at the same time.
Each person with dementia, no matter the subtype, will have an own experience.
Dementia is a problem all over the world, but it is most common in richer countries where people tend to live longer.
There is currently no treatment for dementia.
But a large study shows that having two cans of beer or glasses of wine a day may decrease your risk of getting dementia.
Four million South Koreans were followed for up to eight years while having their health records examined by researchers there.
In comparison to nondrinkers, individuals who had one can of beer or glass of wine per day had a 21% reduced risk of dementia, while those who used two drinks per day had a 17% lower risk. However, the risk was eight percent greater for those who drank three or more drinks each day.
According to the researchers, drinking alcohol in moderation may be protective against dementia because it improves blood flow by reducing inflammation in the brain and blood thickness.
However, the research was unable to conclusively establish that alcohol was to blame for the decline in dementia risk rather than another factor like food or genetics. It was also dependent on individuals’ honesty about their alcohol use rates.
The authors noted that alcohol’s risks exceed its advantages.
Alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and immune system damage, according to earlier research.
It comes after Canadian officials said people shouldn’t drink more than two bottles of beer or glasses of wine a week. This made some experts call the rules “useless” and hurt people’s trust in public health officials.
According to the CDC, men and women should each limit their alcohol intake to two drinks per day.
The most recent study, which was published in JAMA Network Open, examined the medical histories of South Korean healthy individuals.
The database of the country’s National Health Insurance Service was combed through to get the data. This service, which provides a free health checkup twice yearly to insured Koreans over the age of 40, was the source of the information.
None of the participants had dementia before the research began, and the average age of the participants was about 55.
Everyone who took a health survey between 2009 and 2011 was asked how often and how much they consumed alcohol weekly.
They also came back in 2018, which was seven to eight years later, and responded to the same questions about alcohol usage and whether or not they had dementia diagnoses.
Four groups of participants were created: nondrinkers, light drinkers (those who consumed less than 15 grams of alcohol per day, or roughly one drink), moderate drinkers (those who consumed between 15 and 30 grams of alcohol), and heavy drinkers (those consuming more than 30g daily).
The CDC estimates that a typical drink in the US contains roughly 14 grams of alcohol.
This is the same as a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits.
Over the course of the investigation, 100,000 instances of dementia from all causes were found.
Researchers discovered that people who drank in light to moderate quantities had a decreased chance of having the condition after controlling for variables including age, sex, smoking status, and degree of activity.
However, cutting down on alcohol intake during the trial also had an impact.
Dr. Dan Malleck, a public health expert at Brock University in Canada who was not involved in the research, expressed caution when commenting on the results.
He told DailyMail.com, “I’m always eager to jump on any study that shows that alcohol has protective effects against some illnesses, but I’m not going to jump yet.”
He went on to say, the study shows a connection between moderate drinking and a lower risk of dementia, but it is unclear if moderate drinking causes a reduced dementia risk or if people with a lower risk of dementia are more likely to drink moderately.
According to Dr. Percy Griffin, Director of Scientific Engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, the results of this study are intriguing but should not be used as a reason to start drinking.
This study is interesting, but it is not enough to conclude that drinking alcohol can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, according to the director.
“This is an association study and does not give information on causes.”
The study’s limitations include the fact that participants self-reported their alcohol use, and many are known for having trouble recalling how much they drank.
In comparison to the other groups, the non-drinking group also had a tendency to be older and come from a poorer socioeconomic background, which may have increased their risk of dementia from other reasons.
Dr. Keun Hye Jeon, the lead researcher and Assistant Professor at CHA Gumi Medical Center in Gumi, South Korea, informed CNN that the study revealed “maintaining mild to moderate alcohol consumption as well as reducing alcohol consumption from a heavy to moderate level were associated with a decreased risk of dementia.”
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