A groundbreaking study overturns previous beliefs, revealing that any amount of alcohol is linked to an increased risk of dementia. Genetic data from over half a million adults shows no safe threshold for drinking.
October 5, 2025
Source:
ScienceDaily
No Safe Level of Alcohol for Brain Health, Study Concludes
A major new study has found that any level of alcohol consumption increases the risk of dementia, challenging the long-standing belief that light to moderate drinking could be beneficial for brain health. The research, which combined observational data with genetic evidence from over half a million adults, concludes there is no safe threshold for alcohol intake when it comes to dementia risk.
This finding overturns decades of conflicting reports, many of which suggested a "U-shaped" curve where light drinkers had lower dementia rates than those who abstained completely. The new evidence indicates this previous understanding was likely flawed.
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Source:
CNN / Getty Images
Genetic Evidence Reveals Clear Link
Researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization, which analyzes genetic variants to provide stronger evidence on the causal relationship between an exposure (alcohol) and an outcome (dementia).
Key Genetic Findings
Steady Risk Increase: The genetic data showed a direct, monotonic relationship between alcohol and dementia. For every standard deviation increase in weekly drinks, dementia risk rose by 15%.
Alcohol Use Disorder: A genetically-predicted risk for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) was associated with a 16% higher risk of dementia.
No Protective Effect: Unlike some observational data, the genetic analysis found no evidence of a protective effect at low consumption levels.
'Reverse Causation' Explained
The study also identified a crucial factor that likely misled previous research: reverse causation. Researchers found that individuals who were in the early stages of cognitive decline tended to naturally reduce their alcohol consumption. This created the illusion that light drinking was protective, when in reality, the developing dementia was the cause of the reduced drinking.
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Source:
Technology Networks
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