In a new study, researchers found alcohol intake in later life is linked to dementia risk.
The research was conducted by a team from Harvard University and the University of Washington.
The team examined 3021 people aged 72 years and older.
They found alcohol intake within recommended limits was not linked to a lower risk of dementia among participants with or without mild cognitive impairment.
Among participants without mild cognitive impairment, daily low-quantity drinking was linked to lower dementia risk compared with infrequent higher-quantity drinking.
Other researchers say that there’s a well-established link between heavy drinking and the risk of dementia, but it is difficult to say whether moderate alcohol intake has any impact on brain health when compared to not drinking at all.
Some non-drinkers may have a history of heavy alcohol use, and this makes it difficult to untangle links between drinking habits and health.
This study only looked at people’s drinking in later life, and we don’t know about their drinking habits in their earlier years.
Research suggests that lifestyle in middle age may have the greatest impact on the future risk of dementia.
Current alcohol guidelines recommend not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week for both men and women.
Dementia is caused by physical diseases of the brain, but there are things we can do to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
The best current evidence indicates that as well as only drinking within the recommended guidelines, staying physically and mentally active, eating a healthy balanced diet, not smoking, and keeping weight, cholesterol and blood pressure in check are all good ways to keep the brain healthy as people age.
The lead author of the study is Manja Koch from Harvard University.
The study is published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
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