As people age, it’s not uncommon for them to experience mild memory problems or trouble focusing. This condition is known as mild cognitive impairment, or MCI.
While it’s not as severe as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it can be a warning sign that the brain is beginning to decline. People with MCI may forget things more often or find it harder to make decisions or solve problems.
At the same time, another issue that can affect older adults is heavy drinking. A new study shows that when these two issues come together—memory problems and alcohol use—they can create serious risks, especially the risk of falling.
The study, published in the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, found that older adults with MCI who also drink heavily are more likely to be unsteady on their feet.
This means they are at greater risk of falling compared to those who have MCI but do not drink, or those who drink heavily but have no memory issues. Falling can be very dangerous for older adults, often leading to serious injuries, hospital stays, or long-term disability.
The researchers wanted to know if heavy drinking made balance problems worse in people with MCI. To study this, they looked at 226 adults between the ages of 45 and 90. Some had MCI, some had a history of alcohol use disorder (AUD), some had both conditions, and a control group had neither.
They tested how well each person could stand still under different conditions—feet together or apart, with eyes open or closed. They also tested how well participants could feel light touches on the soles of their feet, and they collected information about alcohol use, memory, movement skills, and past falls. Nobody drank alcohol on the day of testing.
The results were eye-opening. People who had both memory problems and a history of heavy drinking performed the worst on the tests that measured foot sensitivity and balance.
Even though this group had not been drinking as much recently compared to those with only alcohol use disorder, their balance was just as bad. That means the combination of memory problems and past drinking may lead to more serious balance issues than either condition on its own.
Interestingly, people with only MCI were about as steady on their feet as the healthy control group. But once alcohol use entered the picture—either alone or in combination with MCI—balance suffered. This suggests that alcohol use is a key factor in increasing fall risk, even if the person has not been drinking heavily in recent months.
This finding is very important for older adults and the people who care for them. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in seniors. The fact that alcohol use can add to the risk—especially in people already showing early signs of cognitive decline—means that reducing or stopping alcohol use could be a powerful step toward staying safe and independent.
The researchers believe that alcohol use is a “modifiable risk factor,” meaning it’s something people can change. While we can’t yet cure or reverse MCI, we can take steps to lower the risks it brings. One of those steps may be avoiding alcohol. This could help prevent falls and might even slow down the progress of memory decline.
In conclusion, this study shows how alcohol and early memory issues can work together in harmful ways. For older adults with MCI, avoiding alcohol could be an important way to stay balanced, avoid injury, and protect brain health.
The study gives a clear message: managing alcohol use may improve both safety and quality of life for aging adults with early cognitive problems.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about low choline intake linked to higher dementia risk, and how eating nuts can affect your cognitive ability.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
