Doctors Warn Even Moderate Drinking Could Raise Long-Term Dementia Risk

A recent study reveals that any level of alcohol consumption elevates the likelihood of developing dementia in later life, challenging earlier research claims.Prior studies indicated that light drinking—defined as fewer than seven beverages a week—might offer neuroprotective benefits compared to total abstinence. However, these studies primarily observed older individuals without distinguishing between past drinkers and lifelong abstainers, potentially skewing outcomes, according to the researchers.Published on September 23 in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, this study analyzed genetic links to alcohol and its impact on brain health. Lead author Anya Topiwala from the University of Oxford stated that the findings show even minor alcohol intake could heighten dementia risk. The study's robust methodology combined observational data with genetic analysis, reducing biases.Involving nearly 560,000 participants, it found that light drinkers had a lower dementia risk than heavy drinkers, yet non-drinkers exhibited similar risks to those who drank excessively. Researchers noted an increased dementia risk correlating with alcohol consumption and genetic predisposition, reinforcing concerns about alcohol's detrimental effects on cognitive health.