Science
Scientists Warn Just 8 Drinks A Week Can Double Your Risk Of Brain Damage—Including Dementia
According to a recent study, consuming eight or more alcoholic beverages weekly can significantly affect how the brain functions in the future.
It would be impolite to skip a few beers in the backyard with loved ones, especially when summer is in full force and the sun is shining.
Even while it could be tempting to have another drink, health experts have cautioned that moderation is key, so you might want to reconsider before doing so.
That’s because a recent study into heavy drinkers and their brain function was published online in Neurology. The study revealed some alarming findings.
Experts observed that those who use eight or more alcoholic beverages per week are more likely to develop hyaline arteriolosclerosis, a type of brain lesion. Their findings were published in the American Academy of Neurology’s (AAN) medical journal.
A pink-staining substance known as hyaline builds up in the condition, causing the walls of small arteries (arterioles) to thicken.
According to a news statement from the AAN, it results in small blood vessels narrowing and becoming stiff, which makes it more difficult for blood to circulate.
Since it manifests as lesions, or regions of damaged brain tissue, it can harm the brain over time, leading to problems with memory and problem-solving.
All 1,8781 deceased individuals in the study had brain autopsies and died at an average age of 75.
965 individuals who never drank, 319 moderate drinkers who consumed seven or less drinks per week, 129 heavy drinkers who consumed eight or more drinks in seven days, and 368 ex heavy drinkers made up the sample size.
Explaining what was defined as one drink, a press release stated, “Researchers defined one drink as having 14 grams of alcohol, which is about 350 millliliters (ml) of beer, 150 ml of wine or 45 ml of distilled spirits.”
After accounting for variables that may impact brain health, such as smoking and age at death, researchers found that heavy drinkers were 133 percent more likely to have vascular brain lesions than people who had never touched alcohol.
Concerningly, researchers discovered that heavy drinkers died 13 years earlier on average than people who never touched alcohol.
Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo, PhD, of University of Sao Paulo Medical School in Brazil, and lead author of the study, said, “Heavy alcohol consumption is a major global health concern linked to increased health problems and death.”
“We found heavy drinking is directly linked to signs of injury in the brain, and this can cause long-term effects on brain health, which may impact memory and thinking abilities.”
“Understanding these effects is crucial for public health awareness and continuing to implement preventive measures to reduce heavy drinking.”
Now Trending:
- Scientists Baffled By Perfect Sphere Emitting Radio Signals From Deep Space
- China’s Futuristic Ocean Lab Dubbed ‘Underwater Space Station’ Could Be Ready By 2030
- The Earth Just Started Spinning Faster Than Ever Before And Scientists Are Gravely Concerned
Please SHARE this story with Family and Friends and let us know what you think!
