There has been a widespread opinion among people for many years: "drinking a small amount of alcohol can be beneficial for health, especially for the brain." However, a large study conducted by scientists from Oxford, Yale, and Cambridge universities radically contradicted this view.
According to a scientific article published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, even the lightest type of alcohol can lead to dementia - a sharp decline in memory and cognitive function. The authors emphasized that such a habit "has no safe limits" for the brain.
In the course of the study, the medical data of more than 559 thousand participants in the databases of the Million Veteran Program in the USA and UK Biobank in Great Britain were studied. 14,540 of them were diagnosed with various forms of dementia. In addition, scientists conducted a comparative analysis of 45 separate studies and compared the genetic data of 2.4 million people.
The results showed a very important fact: doubling alcohol consumption increased the risk of dementia by 16 percent. Also, a threefold increase in the amount of alcohol consumed per week increased the risk level by 15%.
Scientists say these figures completely dispel the widespread belief that "drinking small amounts can be beneficial." Conversely, even small amounts of alcohol can negatively impact brain function and increase the risk of dementia.
The research leader, Dr. Anya Topivala, a scientist from Oxford University, said:
"Our results refuted the idea that small amounts of alcohol can have a positive effect on brain health. Genetic analyses did not show any protective effect, but proved the opposite. Therefore, reducing overall alcohol consumption among the population could be one of the most effective ways to prevent dementia."
Thus, the new study once again shows that there is no "harmless" amount of alcohol. Alcohol of any level poses a danger to the human brain and negatively affects its long-term health.
Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
