Brain: light to moderate alcohol consumption would have virtues on cognitive functions

Although the volume of pure alcohol consumed in France has been declining since the 1960s, France is among the biggest consumers in the world and sits sixth out of 34 OECD countries, reports Public health Francewith a consumption of 11.7 liters per year per person aged 15 and over.

If we know that excessive alcohol is dangerous for health (and the cause of 41,000 deaths per year), a recent study conducted by the University of Georgia (United States) and published in the JAMA asserts that a low to moderate consumption would have virtues on the cerebral function of adults in old age.

Mental health and language

The researchers followed the cognitive performance of 19,887 participants for 10 years. Every two years, the latter were invited to answer a questionnaire on their health and their lifestyle, including questions on their alcohol consumption. The cognitive functions of the participants were also measured through a series of tests examining their overall mental state, as well as their memory related to language, in particular vocabulary.

Result: Compared to non-drinkers, those who drank a drink or two a day tended to perform better on cognitive tests over time. Even in the presence of other factors known to influence cognition such as age, smoking or level of education, light to moderate consumption appeared to be virtuous for brain function. However, “it is difficult to say that this effect is causalanalysis Ruiyuan Zhang, lead author of the study. So if some people don’t drink alcohol, this study shouldn’t encourage them to drink to prevent possible cognitive decline..”

What is your alcohol consumption?

In France, 87% of 18-75 year olds consume alcohol at least once a year, 26% of 65-75 year olds report daily alcohol consumption, 13.4% of 18-24 year olds report at least 10 drunkenness per year and 10% of 18-75 year olds alone consume 58% of the alcohol consumed. Gold, the official recommendations are 10 units of alcohol per week, or 2 daily drinks maximum with certain days without drinking alcohol.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a test based on the Audit questionnaire (for Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) to help people measure their alcohol consumption. It’s your turn.

1. How often do you drink drinks containing alcohol?

– Never (0 points)

– 1 time per month or less (1 point)

– 2 to 4 times a month (2 points)

– 2 to 3 times a week (3 points)

– At least 4 times a week (4 points)

2. How many standard drinks do you have on a typical day when you drink alcohol?

– 1 or 2 (0)

– 3 or 4 (1)

– 5 or 6 (2)

– 7 to 9 (3)

– 10 or more (4)

3. On a single occasion, how often do you drink six or more standard drinks?

– Never (0)

– Less than once a month (1)

– Once a month (2)

– Once a week (3)

– Every day or almost (4)

4. Over the past year, how often have you found that you were unable to stop drinking once you started?

– Never (0)

– Less than once a month (1)

– Once a month (2)

– Once a week (3)

– Every day or almost (4)

5. In the past year, how often has drinking alcohol prevented you from doing what was normally expected of you?

– Never (0)

– Less than once a month (1)

– Once a month (2)

– Once a week (3)

– Every day or almost (4)

6. In the past year, how often, after a period of heavy drinking, have you had to drink alcohol first thing in the morning to feel good?

– Never (0)

– Less than once a month (1)

– Once a month (2)

– Once a week (3)

– Every day or almost (4)

7. In the past year, how often have you had feelings of guilt or regret after drinking?

– Never (0)

– Less than once a month (1)

– Once a month (2)

– Once a week (3)

– Every day or almost (4)

8. In the past year, how often have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you were drinking?

– Never (0)

– Less than once a month (1)

– Once a month (2)

– Once a week (3)

– Every day or almost (4)

9. Have you injured yourself or anyone else because you were drinking?

No (0)

Yes, but not in the past year (2)

Yes, during the year (4)

10. Has a friend or doctor or other healthcare professional ever been concerned about your drinking and advised you to cut it down?

No (0)

Yes, but not in the past year (2)

Yes, during the year (4)

Test result:

You have a total of less than 8 points: low risk level

Intervention: primary prevention.
Role of the general practitioner: health education, support of health policy vis-à-vis alcohol, exemplarity.

You have a total between 8 and 15 points: dangerous risk level

Action: simple advice.
Role of the general practitioner: identification, evaluation, brief advice.

You have a total between 16 and 19 points: problematic risk level

Intervention: Simple counseling plus brief support intervention and ongoing monitoring.
Role of the general practitioner: identification, assessment, brief advice, follow-up.

You have a total equal to or greater than 20 points: high risk level (alcohol dependence)

Intervention: specialized treatment.
Role of the general practitioner: identification, evaluation, orientationtion to a specialist, follow-up.