Alcohol and Dementia: A Riskier Link Than You Might Think

Drinking Significantly Raises Dementia Risk, New Study Finds

A growing body of research shows that alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts can have serious health consequences, including high blood pressure, liver disease, and cancer. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen—the highest risk category for substances known to cause cancer.

More recently, alcohol has been linked to cognitive decline. A new study published in Neurology highlights how even moderate drinking can raise the risk of micro brain injuries associated with dementia. In this study, researchers in Brazil conducted autopsies on 1,781 individuals and found that those who consumed up to seven or more than eight drinks per week were more likely to show brain damage linked to memory loss and dementia.

Participants were categorized based on drinking habits reported by family members: lifelong abstainers, moderate drinkers (up to seven drinks per week), heavy drinkers (eight or more drinks per week), and former heavy drinkers who had abstained for at least three months. One standard drink was defined as 14 grams of alcohol, roughly one 12-ounce beer or 5-ounce glass of wine.

While self-reports by family members can be imperfect, the study still presents strong evidence of alcohol’s damaging effects on brain health. Notably, what qualifies as “heavy drinking” in this context, just eight drinks a week is less than many would consider excessive.

Unsurprisingly, individuals in the heavy drinking group were at greatest risk for dementia-related brain damage. However, even moderate drinkers were not immune. The study found that:

• Heavy drinkers had a 133% increased risk of hyaline arteriolosclerosis, a condition where brain arteries thicken and harden, restricting blood flow and contributing to silent strokes and cognitive decline.

• Former heavy drinkers had an 89% higher risk, while moderate drinkers saw a 60% increase in risk.

  
  

Healthy blood circulation is critical to cognitive function, as it delivers nutrients and removes waste from brain tissue. Impaired blood flow can compromise neuron health and speed up cognitive deterioration.

The study also found a greater presence of neurofibrillary tangles, also known as tau tangles in the brains of current and former heavy drinkers. These abnormal protein accumulations are strongly associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in its advanced stages.

Importantly, while former heavy drinkers still faced elevated risks, quitting alcohol can still be a beneficial step toward protecting brain health. If you or someone you care about falls into the moderate or heavy drinking category, reducing alcohol intake may significantly improve both brain and overall health.

Maintaining mental and physical well-being, especially with age requires a holistic approach: regular exercise, proper nutrition, hydration, quality sleep, emotional regulation, social connections and minimizing harmful exposures such as alcohol.

It's easy to think, I should have started this sooner. But the truth is, the best time to begin making healthy changes is right now. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”