Moderate alcohol drinking may result in better cognition and longevity
A study on adult participants in the U.S.A. suggests that moderate regular drinking can lead to a lower risk of cognitive decline
Latest data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) indicates that moderate alcohol consumption may result in a few health benefits, such as a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Additionally, researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine in La Jolla suggest for the first time that there is a strong connection between low quantities of alcohol and a healthy cognition, as well as longevity. The report was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Lead study author Dr. Linda McEvoy comments:
“This study is unique because we considered men and women’s cognitive health at late age and found that alcohol consumption is not only associated with reduced mortality, but with greater chances of remaining cognitively healthy into older age.”
The study was conducted on 1.344 middle-class white adults from California, from which 728 were females and 616 were males, over a 29 years period. The trial participants were assessed at the beginning of the study and then every 4 years, after providing accurate information about alcohol drinking patterns and other biological indicators, such as age, sex, smoking, weight etc.
As the results showed, moderate drinkers were more likely to attain both a longer cognitive health and lifespan, even when compared to non-drinkers.
“This study shows that moderate drinking may be part of a healthy lifestyle. However, it is not a recommendation for everyone to drink. Some people have health problems that are made worse by alcohol, and others cannot limit their drinking to only a glass or two per day. For these people, drinking can have negative consequences”, Dr. Erin Richard from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine explains.
Nevertheless, more research is needed on the matter, as the links between alcohol consumption, cognition and longevity is not yet clear.
