 |
| Just one drink with friends may not be as harmless/beneficial as once believed. Photo Credit: Punchdrink.com |
Many people have grown up with the notion that drinking “a
glass” of wine with dinner is a neutral if not a healthy habit. After all, red
wine consumption in prior decades and even up until now was recommended or prescribed
by doctors as a treatment for those with high blood pressure who may be at risk
for a heart attack or stroke, in line with recent research that found that a
moderate intake (1-2 5 oz. glasses per day) of red wine may be protective.
Culturally, alcoholic beverages are commonly consumed in the diet of most
nations, enjoyed at celebrations, sporting events, and even just around the
dinner table. However, recent research by Topiwala et al. published in the British
Medical Journal found results contrary to the popular belief that drinking
moderate amounts of alcohol may be the best pattern of consumption for
health—even drinking “moderately” may be a risk factor for cognitive decline
due to brain atrophy.
But what
exactly did the researchers study? And what was “moderate” drinking defined as
in their particular study? The main outcome studied was whether or not drinking
affects the function and structure of the brain. A group of over 500
middle-aged men and women were followed for 30 years, undergoing several MRI’s (for
physical brain examination) and cognitive performance tests at regular
intervals. Researchers found a dose-dependent response in brain structure and
function at three different defined drinking levels: light (~3 glasses of wine, ~2 pints of beer
per week), moderate (~5 glasses of wine, ~4 pints of beer per week), or unsafe
(>~5-8 glasses of wine, >~4-6 pints of beer per week). Researchers found
that participants who consumed more alcohol per week had greater brain atrophy
and thus greater cognitive decline over the 30-year period. Additionally, there
was no cranial-protective benefit of drinking lightly rather than abstaining
from drinking any amount of alcohol.
These
results may be of interest to regular moderate consumers, especially those with
a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, where impaired cognition occurs as a
result of atrophy of the brain’s cells, notably the hippocampus, and has been
linked to alcohol overconsumption. This study also may warrant public health
officials to question current alcohol intake recommendations offered by several
major global organizations. Though the results of the study may be limited by
the over-sampling of male participants, the acquisition of participants from
one area of the United Kingdom, and the use of self-reporting for
alcohol-consumption data, this study does prompt drinkers of all levels to
reassess the potential health consequences of plainly consuming alcoholic
beverages in any form and to compare for oneself the presented risks with the
potential vascular benefits suggested by various other studies.
View the original research article HERE: Brittish Medical Journal
Comments
Post a Comment