Drinking two pints per day may lower the risk of dementia, scientists say.
Australian researchers, who studied the drinking habits and dementia rates among 25,000 over-60s, found two pints a day slashed the risk of the memory-robbing condition by a third, compared to teetotalers.
Meanwhile, non-drinkers were at most risk and a fifth more likely to be a dementia sufferer than the biggest drinkers, who consume at least 18 pints per week.
The researchers said their findings show that abstaining from alcohol seems to carry a higher risk of dementia than enjoying a tipple.
However, experts noted that while drinking alcohol may provide some protection against dementia, excessive drinking is toxic to the brain.
Australian researchers, who studied the drinking habits and dementia rates among 25,0000 over-60s, found two pints a day slashed the risk of the memory-robbing condition by a third
With global dementia rates set to triple over the next 30 years, the team, led by Dr Louise Mewton, said it is ‘fundamental’ to reduce the risky habits that may contribute to the rise.
Experts previously estimated that four in 10 dementia cases worldwide could be prevented or delayed if a risk factors were eliminated, including excessive alcohol drinking.
The team, from the University of New South Wales, gathered data from 15 studies that contained data on the alcohol drinking habits and dementia rates of 24,478 over-60s.
The cohort was divided into teetotalers, occasional drinkers (less than 45ml of beer per day), light to moderate drinkers (between 45ml and one-and-a-half pints per day), moderate to heavy drinkers (one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half pints per day) and heavy drinkers (more than two-and-a-half pints per day).
None had dementia at the start of the study, and they were monitored for up to 40 years.
Over the court of the study, 2,124 people were diagnosed with dementia, according to the findings, published in the journal Addiction.
When compared to teetotalers, occasional and light to moderate drinkers were 22 per cent less likely to develop the condition.
And those who consumed up to two-and-a-half pints a day had a 38 per cent reduced risk of being diagnosed compared to non-drinkers.
Even the biggest drinkers were 19 per cent less likely to be a dementia sufferer than those who didn’t consume alcohol.
When the researchers further crunched the numbers, drinking 40g of ethanol per day — the equivalent to five units — was linked with a lower risk of dementia compared to those who had never had a tipple.
Dr Mewton, a public health researcher, said abstaining from alcohol appears to be associated with a higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia.
The researchers said their data was robust and shows the impact of alcohol drinking on dementia rates worldwide.
However, they noted that alcohol intake was self-reported by participants — who are prone to under-estimate their drinking.
And the type of alcohol consumed was not logged. Some studies have found that only certain drinks — such as wine — may protect against dementia.
Meanwhile, the data included few excessive alcohol drinkers, who are thought to be at most risk from dementia.
UK health chiefs advise Britons to drink no more than 14 units per week.
Drinking large amounts of alcohol for many years raises the risk of high blood pressure, strokes, liver disease and some cancers, as well as dementia.
Dr Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘The results showed that people who never drank alcohol had a higher chance of developing dementia than those who did.
‘These results are consistent with previous research on this topic, which also show that heavy consumption of alcohol, as well as not drinking, seems linked to a higher risk of dementia.’
However, she noted that alcohol is toxic to brain cells, so excessive drinking over time can ‘change the way our brains works’, alter its shape and structure and stop the body absorbing vitamins properly.
Previous studies have highlighted that alcohol is a risk factor for dementia, due to the toxic effect of ethanol on the brain.
Studies have even shown that excessive drinking is one of the biggest contributors to dementia, more so than high blood pressure or diabetes.
However, research has also thrown up contrary results. Some papers show heavy drinking is not linked to the condition, while others found light to moderate drinkers have a lower risk than teetotalers.
Global dementia rates have tripled over the least three decades — from 20.2million in 1990 to 57.4million in 2019.
The surge is predicted to continue — with experts estimating 152million will be suffering from the memory-robbing condition by 2050.
As it stands, around 900,000 people are thought to be living with dementia in the UK.
The figure is nearly seven times higher in the US, with 6.2million blighted by the memory-robbing condition.
There is no cure for the disease, meaning doctors can only prescribe drugs that lessen its symptoms.
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