The most ground breaking study on the effect of alcohol has just been completed by scientists at Kings College, London, which shows that just four pints of beer or small glasses of wine a week increases the risk of dementia. The research findings were published in the journal Aging and Mental Health.
More than 15,000 people aged 50 or over were tracked for two years. None had dementia at the start of the study but those who hit ‘risky’ levels of drinking – equal to eight units a week – suffered a greater decline in short term memory and spatial awareness which is likely to progress to dementia. This dispels the myth that alcohol is somehow good for the brain.
Dr. Rosa Sancho of Alzheimer’s Research UK said: ‘These findings lend even more weight to advice for people to drink within recommended guidelines’.
