Long-Term Care

Risk of Alzheimer’s may be lowered by alcohol

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, September 10, 2009

After analyzing 15 studies involving more than 28,000 subjects, researchers believe the consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol by people over age 60 may help to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Compared to non-drinkers, men decreased their susceptibility to dementia by 45% and women reduced their risk by 27%, according to The New York Times.

All subjects were monitored for a minimum of two years with controlled factors such as age, gender, and smoking. The definition of moderate drinking varied per study, but did not exceed 28 drinks per week. It is believed that moderate alcohol use increases the presence of good cholesterol in the body and improves blood flow to the brain, benefits that may be responsible for the lowered risk of developing some form of dementia.

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