The occasional glass of wine might actually reduce the risk of dementia,
Loyola University’s Chicago Stritch School of Medicine analyzed 143 studies conducted since 1977 and found that moderate alcohol consumption is linked to a lower risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment.
The team analyzed data from previous studies encompassing 365,000 people. They defined moderate drinking as two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. (Sorry women!)
Investigators say that wine proved more beneficial than beer or spirits.
They noted that heavy drinkers — or those who have more than three to five drinks per day — had a higher risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.
Study co-author Edward J. Neafsey, Ph.D. said: “moderate drinking — if it is truly moderate — can be beneficial.”
Results are reported in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.