Brain health and drinking: what you need to know
When it comes to your health, everything in moderation ā especially alcohol. Drinking heavily can speed up brain aging, especially in men. Learn how to drink responsibly and stay healthy with help from Kevin Soden, MD.
Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING] Heavy drinking, sped up brain aging, especially in men. Heavy drinking-- more than 2 and 1/2 drinks per day--
was linked to faster, steeper mental decline. [MUSIC PLAYING]
Hi, I'm Dr. Soden. You know the saying, "everything in moderation." Well, new research finds that especially true when
it comes to drinking alcohol. British scientists tracked the alcohol consumption of more than 7,500 middle-aged people for a decade.
And they found that heavy drinking sped up brain aging, especially in men. Heavy drinking-- and that was defined as more than 2
and 1/2 drinks per day-- was linked to faster, steeper mental decline. Guys who are heavy drinkers showed
signs of brain aging up to six years sooner than teetotalers. Some guys showed signs of difficulty with memory, attention, and reasoning skills
as young as age 55. But moderate drinking-- two drinks or less per day-- didn't harm mental skills.
And women who sipped one drink a day showed even less cognitive decline than ladies who abstained from alcohol.
It's yet more evidence that when it comes to booze, moderation is the key. I'm Dr. Soden. Watch all our smart tips for more ways
to safeguard your health. [MUSIC PLAYING]
brain health nervous system
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