Risks of insanity: even small doses of alcohol can have a detrimental effect on the brain

0

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of dementia, and even small doses of alcohol can increase it due to its effects on the brain, a new study suggests.

Age-related dementia, or dementia, is somehow related to brain size. From a scientific point of view, a large brain means an increased ability to tolerate damage. But when the brain shrinks (which happens with age), this ability deteriorates – as a result, there are characteristic changes in cognitive and mental functions. Let us remind you that the key symptom of dementia is the deterioration of short-term memory: a person remembers well only very old events of his life.

Scientists state that “each of the most common types of dementia begins with the shrinkage of brain tissue.”

A new study, in turn, suggests that such brain shrinkage is facilitated by alcohol consumption – and not abuse, but light to moderate drinking. This conclusion was made by specialists of the University of Pennsylvania, who analyzed the data of more than 36,000 people.

The authors of the study emphasize that their conclusion goes against the accepted opinion that moderate alcohol consumption can be quite acceptable within a fairly healthy diet According to scientists, people who drink should be aware: alcohol in any amount can have a negative effect on the brain.