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Alcohol abuse increases the risk of developing dementia in old age
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Specialists from the UK have conducted a new study on alcohol. As it turns out, alcohol abuse provokes the development of dementia. As Dr. Alstair Burns noted, alcohol in large doses affects the brain and in old age this can result in senile dementia.
New Year is always associated with the beginning of a new life, new opportunities, as scientists believe, New Year is an excellent opportunity to start living in a new way and reconsider your habits. First of all, you should reconsider the amount of alcohol consumed, especially during the Christmas holidays.
The UK's National Health and Medical Research Council has set the alcohol limit for adults at no more than two units per day (2 small glasses of wine), otherwise the risk of developing alcohol-related injuries and diseases increases.
Another study by Western experts found that alcohol helps strengthen the immune system, especially during the cold season. However, such benefits from alcohol are observed only when a person does not abuse alcoholic beverages.
Such conclusions were made by specialists during experiments in which they tried to improve the body's immune response to vaccination. For the experiment, scientists selected six monkeys that were given alcoholic cocktails (4% alcohol). The animals consumed such drinks for 1 year and 2 months (the scientists also created a control group of monkeys). Each animal was vaccinated against smallpox.
Just like humans, monkeys had different reactions to alcohol. Scientists immediately noted active and moderate drinkers.
Animals that "loved" to drink, the reaction to the vaccine was less weak compared to animals from the control group. In moderately drinking primates, the reaction to vaccination became, on the contrary, stronger.
In addition, scientists noted that alcohol will not help if the disease is already in the body; alcohol will only lead to more severe dehydration and worsen the course of the disease.
Another study was recently conducted on alcohol. Alcohol is known to increase a person's suicidal tendencies, but in Missouri, scientists noted that insomnia caused by alcohol consumption is more to blame than the fact of drinking itself.
For the experiment, the specialists selected a group of students (375 people) who filled out a questionnaire assessing symptoms of insomnia, nightmares, alcohol consumption, and suicidal tendencies. After analyzing all the data, the scientists came to the conclusion that alcohol consumption significantly increases the suicidal tendencies among women. In the course of further research, the specialists found that insomnia was the key factor between alcohol consumption and suicidal tendencies.
The experts also noted that among men, alcohol consumption had no effect on the tendency to commit suicide, but insomnia associated with alcohol consumption significantly increased the risk of suicide among male volunteers.
The researchers concluded that the findings should be taken into account when developing plans to reduce suicide risks.
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