HARMFULNESS of alcohol is linked to an increased risk of cancer, liver disease, high blood pressure and other health problems. Alcohol also has a strong impact on cognitive abilities. New research published in the journal Neurology reveals that regularly consuming a certain number of alcoholic drinks per week increases the risk of brain damage that is associated with the development of dementia.
Research conducted on postmortem brain samples
Brazilian scientists analyzed the brains of 1,781 deceased people through autopsies and collected information about drinking habits from family members. The participants were divided into four groups: never drinkers, moderate drinkers (up to seven standard drinks per week), heavy drinkers (eight or more drinks per week), and former drinkers (those who had not drunk for at least three months but had previously drunk heavily).
A standard drink is defined as 14 grams of alcohol, or about 3.5 dcl of beer or 1.5 dcl of wine.
Although there is a possibility that family members incorrectly estimated the amount of alcohol consumed, experts point out that the results confirm what medicine has long assumed – chronic alcohol consumption negatively affects brain health.
“The results confirm suspicions that chronic drinking is linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Mike Sevilla, who was not involved in the study.
When are people considered “heavy alcoholics”?
Interestingly, “heavy” drinking in this study is defined as eight or more drinks per week – that’s a glass of wine every day and two more on Saturday. This is significantly less than what many people intuitively consider excessive.
“People often think of a heavy drinker as someone who drinks a bottle of vodka a day, but this research shows that even a much smaller amount can damage the brain,” warned neurologist Brendan Kelley from Texas.
What did scientists discover?
People who drank eight or more drinks a week had a 133% higher risk of developing hyaline arteriosclerosis – the thickening and hardening of blood vessels in the brain. Former heavy drinkers had an 89% higher risk, and moderate drinkers a 60% higher risk of the same condition. This damage to blood vessels can cause small strokes, which increase the risk of dementia.
“Healthy blood circulation is essential for a healthy brain. Blood delivers oxygen, vitamins, and minerals to neurons, but it also carries away harmful substances,” explains Kelley. When blood vessels harden, it becomes more difficult for the brain to receive nutrients and toxins are more difficult to remove. Neuroscience is increasingly emphasizing the importance of vascular health in preventing cognitive impairment.
In addition, heavy and former heavy drinkers had higher levels of neurofibrillary tangles (tau protein) – 41% and 31% higher, respectively, than non-drinkers. These are changes that are directly linked to advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
“Even if a person no longer drinks, damage to the brain may already be done and the risk of dementia is still present,” adds Dr. Sevilla.
It’s not too late for changes.
No matter your age, it’s never too late to start eating healthier. If you find yourself regularly drinking more than seven drinks a week, experts recommend trying to cut back on your alcohol intake — for your brain health, as well as your overall health. “Whatever is good for your heart is good for your brain — like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper therapy,” says Kelley.
He also noted that heavy drinkers in the study were often smokers, which puts additional strain on the cardiovascular system. “Even people who quit smoking in their 70s can experience positive changes in their brain and body health,” Kelley concluded.
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