Moderate alcohol intake reduces dementia risk

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Women who drink one or more alcoholic drinks a day tend to do better on cognitive tests than those who drink less.
The health benefits of light to moderate alcohol intake have been well documented. Now here is another finding - that drinking may help women keep their minds sharp.

The results are from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study which is looking at the effect of hormone therapy on dementia and cognitive function. Women who reported drinking one or more alcoholic beverages a day scored higher on tests of concentration, memory, language and reasoning than those who drank less. They also had a 40 per cent lower risk of cognitive decline over time, which may suggest a protective effect against dementia.

Alcohol may increase blood flow to the brain and prevent the development of tiny clots. It also increases levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL or 'good') cholesterol. This reduces the risk of narrowed vessels in the brain which may otherwise contribute to dementia. The findings are positive for women who enjoy a daily drink - but, as ever, should not be used as a licence to drink more or to start drinking.

Source
American Journal of Epidemiology February 2005

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