Moderate amounts of alcohol in your diet may be healthier than you think. In fact, it can lower your risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s, and even death. A study from Loyola University found that those who drank moderately (one drink a day for women, two for men) are 23% less likely to develop dementia or other forms of Alzheimer’s disease, or to develop some cognitive damage.
But take it too far, and alcohol becomes a negative influence on the brain. Heavy drinking (defined as more than 3-5 drinks) was linked with a slightly risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, though it was not statistically significant.
Michael Collins, the study’s co-author and professor in the department of molecular pharmacology and therapeutics at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, believes that alcohol may have anti-inflammatory properties.
“There’s a lot of feeling that brain inflammation is involved in Alzeimer’s disease,” he said. “If alcohol is increasing molecules that are suppressing inflammation in other tissues, then it probably also does that in the brain.”
Moderate amounts of alcohol may also boost levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol and make blood less likely to clot. A study published in the European Heart Journal found that after a heart attack, men who continue to drink moderately may live longer than heavy drinkers or non-drinkers.
However, researchers in both studies advise that this is not a reason to start drinking if you don’t already; there are plenty of other ways to protect against cognitive problems and damage. And remember, moderate drinking is one drink for women and two drinks for men. That means 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. So start measuring!
Related: Drinking on a Diet: Can You Booze and Still Lose?
