The Times Australia
The Times Magazine

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Alcohol and your brain: study finds even moderate drinking is damaging

  • Written by Tony Rao


It’s a well-known fact that drinking too much alcohol can have a serious impact on your health, including damaging your liver. But how much is too much? For conditions such as liver cirrhosis, that’s usually more than 21 units of alcohol a week – around two bottles of wine a week or one and a half pints of beer a day. The UK’s Chief Medical Officer recommends that adults don’t drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week to keep the risk of health problems low.

However, the liver isn’t the only organ that can be damaged by drinking – the brain can be damaged, too. Drinking over the current UK low-risk guidelines is associated with an increased risk of dementia. And a recent study, published in Scientific Reports, found that even moderate drinking is associated with decreased brain volume.

The researchers in this latest study looked at 300 people between the ages of 39 and 45 to understand the effects of drinking on the brain. Most people in the study reported that they drank at what was considered moderate or low-risk levels (an average of less than 14 units of alcohol a week). Even at this level, there was a reduction in the amount of total brain tissue seen on brain scans. This held true for men and women when other risk factors, such as smoking, were considered. Their brains were compared against a reference model of average brain volume.

Although the study didn’t look at the physiological impact of brain tissue loss, any significant loss of brain tissue will reduce the brain’s ability to function at an optimal level. Though the adult brain shrinks slowly with age, the earlier the loss starts, brain shrinkage is likely to be accelerated by other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, that may arise in late middle age and later life. This is important, as we now know that some of the early signs of brain damage from alcohol can be partially reversed after abstinence. Which has been seen as early at six weeks after total abstinence – more in the frontal lobes of the brain, which play an important role in regulating behaviour and our thinking.

Four people toasting their beer glasses.
Moderate drinking levels are associated with increased dementia risk. Giovanna Gomes/ Unsplash, CC BY

These findings are similar to those of an earlier study which found that drinking between seven and 14 units of alcohol a week was associated with a smaller brain size. This level of drinking was also associated with poorer performance on skills that involved recalling memorised words on demand.

Frontal lobe damage

When we study the effects of alcohol on the brain, we naturally focus on dementia. This inevitably means looking for memory changes. After all, a diagnosis of dementia relies on memory loss. But we now know that the brain’s frontal lobes are actually damaged by alcohol at an earlier stage than those parts of the brain associated with memory. The frontal lobes control our personality, behaviour and ability to think flexibly. These skills are not assessed by tests commonly used to diagnose dementia.

But drinking in a way that the general population believe to be sensible and moderate might be slowly damaging our brains. Given this, we need to be better at detecting damage at an earlier stage. Luckily, a eight item test can now detect cognitive impairment early on, and is used routinely by specialists in mental health services to detect brain damage from alcohol in its early stages. Other tests of frontal lobe function can also be performed in hospitals or general practices.

Older drinkers

The discovery that alcohol has the potential to damage our brains at levels at which we might find surprising and in ways that are not usually detected, has major implications for our society. For example, baby boomers (people now aged between 55 and 74) have shown the sharpest rise in harm from alcohol compared with other generations and previous generations of the same age. They are also at higher risk of dementia than younger age groups.

If we are to tackle the problem, we need to change both attitudes to drinking and in how we deliver healthcare. Changing drinking behaviour in older people needs to be accompanied by picking up the early signs of brain damage for all those who drink alcohol.

Progress has been made in asking older people about their alcohol use within both public health and mental health policy. But this not yet happened for the detection of brain damage in people who drink alcohol. Giving equal importance to both our brain and our liver can help us stay in better health. As a society, we have the potential to take care of both these vital organs.

Cutting down the amount we drink or giving it up altogether can reduce our risk of brain damage. But this can only happen if we also maintain a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and exercise.




This article first appeared in The Conversation. It is republished with permission.

The Times Features

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Uncover the Elegance of Gorgeous Diamond Tennis Necklaces

Key Highlights Diamond tennis necklaces are a timeless piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. They feature a continuous line of brilliant-cut diamonds, cre...

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, two of the most common options are dental implants and dentures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing between them ...

What Neck Pain Really Means (And Why It’s More Than Just Poor Posture)

Neck pain is often brushed off as something temporary — a tight spot after a long day at the desk or a poor night’s sleep. But when the discomfort keeps returning, it could be a ...

The Work of Gosha Rubchinskiy: Fashion, Culture, and Youth

From Designer to Cultural Architect Gosha Rubchinskiy is not just a fashion designer—he's a cultural force. Born in Moscow in 1984, Rubchinskiy began his career in fashion in t...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping