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Researchers from the University of California
San Diego School of Medicine in La Jolla have found a link between modest
alcohol consumption and prolonged cognitive health. Dr. Linda McEvoy, senior
study author, believes that the finding is groundbreaking. Indeed, it does
appear to be the first study of its kind to take into account the effect of
alcohol on an older population.
"This study is unique because we
considered men and women's cognitive health at late age and found that alcohol
consumption is not only associated with reduced mortality, but with greater
chances of remaining cognitively healthy into older age," Dr. McEvoy stated.
The research is based off data gathered from 1,344 adults—728 of which were women and 616 of which were men. However,
as Medical News Today points out,
almost all participants were white (99.4 percent) and belonged to the middle or
upper-middle class.
Information was collected over a period
of 29 years. Participants’ cognitive health was analyzed at baseline, and again
every four years.
It’s also important to know that
“moderate alcohol consumption” was defined as one standard drink per day for
women of all ages and men aged 65 or older. Men under the age of 65 were
afforded two standard drinks per day.
"This study shows that moderate drinking may be part of
a healthy lifestyle to maintain cognitive fitness in aging,” said Erin
Richard, lead author of the study. “However, it is not a recommendation for
everyone to drink. Some people have health problems that are made worse by
alcohol, and others cannot limit their drinking to only a glass or two per day.
For these people, drinking can have negative consequences."
In other words, great news for those of us that enjoy an
alcoholic beverage here and there! Here’s to better cognitive health! Cheers!
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