Researchers from the University of Georgia report in JAMA Network Open that moderate alcohol consumption may positively influence brain functions: individuals who consume alcohol in moderate amounts show improvements in verbal memory, language, and other cognitive abilities, indicating overall better brain function.
However, it is important to note that this concerns elderly individuals: researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 participants who were observed for nine years, with an average age of about 62 years at the start of the study; among them, 60% were women.
Moderate alcohol consumption implies no more than 112 grams of pure alcohol per week for women and no more than 210 grams for men. (Pure alcohol can be converted to specific drinks depending on their strength.) The authors of the study emphasize that they identified only a statistically significant correlation, while the mechanism of its action remains unknown. It is possible that moderate alcohol consumption and brain condition are related through other factors, or that alcohol has a direct effect – after all, we have already mentioned that small doses help the brain clear itself of metabolic waste (in addition, alcohol may also have a positive effect on the heart).
Nevertheless, when considering such studies, it is important to remember other effects of alcohol: it indeed increases the risk of certain malignant tumors and can negatively affect the developing brain.
