Alcohol May Not Be Kind to the Aging Brain

alkieanon's picture
Submitted by alkieanon on Sat, 07/21/2012 - 06:32

Forums:

Alcohol May Not Be Kind to the Aging Brain: Studies suggest potential problems, like memory issues, but don't prove a link. Past research has suggested that a glass or two of wine -- or another form of alcohol -- each evening may lower your risk of dementia in old age. But two new studies challenge that theory by suggesting that you might actually harm your brain by changing your drinking habits in later life -- or drinking heavily. The studies aren't conclusive, and it's possible that alcohol consumption wasn't a cause of the mental problems but instead a sign that they exist: People who begin to have trouble thinking and remembering clearly may simply be more likely to drink, the study authors said. Still, the findings raise questions about the existing assumption that a bit of alcohol is good for the aging mind.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/07/18/alcohol-ma...

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Sat, 07/21/2012 - 09:14

clearly may simply be members of AA. LOL!

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

Orange's picture

Orange

Sat, 07/21/2012 - 16:03

I am on the side of "not kind to aging brain." In the end, I could see what it was doing.

But of course, there is plenty of room to argue about dosage, nutrition, and all sorts of complicating factors. Still, I have a hard time believing that alcohol is going to do much good for an old brain.

NoNonsense's picture

NoNonsense

Tue, 07/24/2012 - 12:35

I no longer go to AA and I am still just as vigilant about never picking up that first drink again because I just know it won't do me any good. Besides, I think back to when I used to drink and I remember how deluded my thinking was. Even though life is still not smooth or glorious for me, somehow I am much happier now than I was when I was drinking !