NHS health officials have long argued that a pint a day is relatively safe.
But according to one study, if you only drink half of it, you may be prone to long-term memory problems.
Researchers found that drinking more than seven units a week (equivalent to three pints of beer or five glasses of wine) can lead to iron buildup in the brain.
Mineral accumulation has been associated with the cause of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Experts can also explain how over time drinking too much alcohol can lead to cognitive decline.
Oxford University researchers found that drinking more than seven units a week (equivalent to three pints of beer or five glasses of wine) harms the brain.
The NHS recommends that people drink no more than 14 units a week, spread out over three days or more.
The study of nearly 21,000 middle-aged Brits measured iron stores in the brains of people who drank between zero and 33 units per week.
The NHS advises people not to drink more than 14 units a week, spread out over three days or more.
People who drank seven or more units per week had an eight percent higher chance of developing iron deposits in a key part of the brain: the bilateral putamen.
A research team led by the University of Oxford found that those with higher deposits performed worse on tests of memory, logic, and reasoning.
Long-term alcohol use has long been linked to cognitive decline and even dementia, but researchers say this study found a “potential mechanism” behind the trend.
The study, published in PLOS Medicine, looked at MRI brain scans of 20,956 adults in Newcastle, Stockport and Reading from 2006 to 2010. The ages of the participants ranged from 40 to 69.
The scientists also asked them what kind of drinks they drank and how much they drank each week to calculate their per-unit intake.
Less than 3% of respondents drank nothing at all, while the majority drank about 18 units per week, equivalent to six large glasses of wine.
They were divided into five groups based on how much they drank.
The team then tested people on their cognitive abilities to see if their stores affected brain performance.
One of the tests involved people drawing a line between the numbered dots as quickly and accurately as possible to measure their motor skills.
A memory challenge asked them to remember shapes for varying amounts of time after viewing them on a screen.
In a third test designed to assess their logic and reasoning skills, they were asked to solve abstract questions.
Dr. Anya Topiwala, a psychiatrist at the University of Oxford, said: “In the largest study to date, we found that drinking more than 7 units of alcohol per week was linked to iron accumulation in the brain.
“Higher amounts of iron in the brain are associated with lower cognitive performance. Iron accumulation may be behind alcohol-induced cognitive decline.
DO YOU DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL? 10 QUESTIONS THAT SHOW YOUR RISK
A common screening tool used by medical professionals are the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tests (AUDIT). The 10-question test was developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization and is considered the gold standard for determining if someone has problems with alcohol abuse.
Test reproduced here with permission from WHO.
To complete it, answer each question and write down the corresponding score.
YOUR SCORE:
0-7: You are in the responsible drinking range and have a low risk of alcohol-related problems.
more than 8: Mention harmful or dangerous consumption.
8-15: Medium risk level. If you drink at your current level, you run the risk of having problems with your health in general and with your job and relationships. Consider reducing (see below for tips).
16-19: Increased risk of alcohol complications. It can be difficult to cut yourself off at this level as you may be addicted, so you may need the help of a GP and/or counselor.
20 years and older: Possible addiction. Your alcohol consumption is already causing problems and you could very well become addicted. You should definitely consider quitting gradually or at least reducing your alcohol consumption. You should seek professional help in determining your alcohol addiction and the safest way to abstain from alcohol.
Severe addiction may require doctor-assisted abstinence or detoxification in a hospital or specialist clinic. This is because of the possibility of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms that require specialist treatment within the first 48 hours.
Source: Daily Mail
I am Anne Johnson and I work as an author at the Fashion Vibes. My main area of expertise is beauty related news, but I also have experience in covering other types of stories like entertainment, lifestyle, and health topics. With my years of experience in writing for various publications, I have built strong relationships with many industry insiders. My passion for journalism has enabled me to stay on top of the latest trends and changes in the world of beauty.
