The more alcohol we ingest on a daily basis, the greater the threat of loss of cognitive abilities and memory.
- Drinking more than three drinks a day increases the risk of dementia.
- Dementia is manifested by an increasing impairment of memory and cognitive functions as well as behavioral disorders, all leading to a progressive loss of autonomy.
- “To date, dementia is an irreversible process for which no curative treatment is available,” explains Santé Publique France.
According to a new study published in the JAMAconsuming more than 30 grams of alcohol per day increases the risk of developing a form of dementia.
“Is a change in alcohol consumption associated with the incidence of dementia?” asked the authors of the survey at the start of their work.
Risk of dementia: several levels of alcohol consumption studied
To answer their questions, they formed a cohort of 3,933 people residing in South Korea thanks to this country’s health insurance. All participants aged 40 and over were selected to have two comprehensive health checks (one in 2009 and the other in 2011).
Their level of daily alcohol consumption was also categorized into “no use of this type of drink” (0 grams per day), “a slight hold” (less 15 grams per day), “a moderate intake” (from 15 to 29.9 grams per day) and “an important catch” (more than 30 grams per day*). The statistical analysis and cross-referencing of all this data was carried out in December 2021.
Results : “light alcohol consumption was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause dementia, while heavy alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia,” write the scientists in their report.
“Reducing alcohol consumption from high to moderate levels has also been associated with a reduced risk of dementia,” they add.
Among the 3,933,382 participants, there were 100,282 cases of all-cause dementia, 79,982 cases of Alzheimer’s disease, and 11,085 cases of vascular dementia. “Our results indicate that the threshold of alcohol consumption necessary to reduce the risk of dementia is low,” conclude the researchers.
Alcohol: “dementia is an irreversible process”
Dementia is manifested by an increasing impairment of memory and cognitive functions as well as behavioral disorders, all leading to a progressive loss of autonomy. “To date, dementia is an irreversible process for which no curative treatment is available,” specifies Public Health France.
“Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and is thought to cause 60 to 70% of cases.“, specifies the WHO. “Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability and dependency among older people worldwide,” adds the institution.
Currently, more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, more than 60% of them in low- and middle-income countries. “Every year there are nearly 10 million new cases,” completes the WHO.
*A glass of wine corresponds to 10 grams of pure alcohol.
