Alcohol, Dementia | 08/31/2009 9:05 am

Moderate Drinking Linked to Decreased Risk of Alzheimer's, Dementia

Here’s another reason to raise a glass and toast the benefits of alcohol in moderation.

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

So we’ve told you about how a glass of wine or two can help your sex life, and how red wine can be good for your heart. Now, there’s new research that shows drinking later in life may help you battle dementia.

We’re not talking about binge drinking, of course. That’s definitely not healthy, particularly for baby boomers. But a study of 10,000 people worldwide from The Australian National University has shown that people who drink light to moderate amounts of alcohol later in life are at least 25 percent less likely to develop various forms of dementia — such as Alzheimer’s — than people who don’t drink at all. The study found that the relationship between drinking and dementia was the same for men and women, although women are more likely than men to suffer from dementia, in general.

So kick back and enjoy a drink or two with dinner, or plan an American wine getaway. Then check out wOw’s fun games to exercise your brain. They’ll help you keep your mind sharp as a tack!

10 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Thanks for the reminder about the brain games! Later this evening, perhaps I will have a gin and tonic and take on those games again!

By Maggie W on 08/31/2009 10:23 am

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I love all different types of wine, and an occasional Margarita. I consider myself a social drinker. I definately know the downside of abusing alcohol, so I always try to limit myself.

Alcohol is like everyhthing else, and I do mean EVERYTHING! Moderation is very important.

Mind games are also very important. You know what they say - use it or lose it…

By Eldebbo C on 08/31/2009 10:49 am

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Just popped the cork! Yahoo.. Now the brain games!

By Dee T on 08/31/2009 4:33 pm

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The consistent message here recently seems to be ‘relax and have a drink or two’. OK, you don’t have to tell me twice!

By Green Tears on 08/31/2009 5:55 pm

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I’ll drink to that!

By Lee Harrison on 08/31/2009 6:46 pm

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that’s good to know. but alcohol is a scary thing. it frightens me to be honest. I love my glass of wine at dinner. and it’s a GLASS. 4 to 6 ounces. But I see so much horror from alcohol that i wonder on occassion why i drink at all. i sometimes think i wont’ drink out of protest of the ugliness of alcohol in general. then someone brings me a bottle of conundrum… and my ethics are gone lol…

By Chrome Toe on 08/31/2009 7:47 pm

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I will drink to that. I’m a social drinker, but a drink with dinner sounds good to me. I was a substance abuse counselor for six years and come from a family of alcoholics, so I too have seen the horrors of over indulgence, but everything in moderation is a great motto to live by.

By Wendy R on 09/01/2009 11:28 am

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Wendy R - that wonderful drink at dinner - reminds me of the following:

I like a drink at dinner,

Just one, or two at the most.

With three, I’m under the table.

(With four, I’m under the host)!

(Dorothy Parker, or Gertrude Stein) ?? (not sure who).

By Lauriate Roly on 09/02/2009 11:46 am

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Close on the quote…it is from Dorothy Parker and goes:

I like to have a martini,
Two at the very most.
After three I’m under the table,
after four I’m under my host.

I looked it up to be sure as I have given it to my 18 year old daughter as a mantra about drinking (and a reminder to moderation for myself).

By Janet R on 09/02/2009 4:01 pm

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Thank you Janet Robertson for clarifying and correcting this nice little poem for me. It has been a favorite and a “keeper” for me for many years, and I have had fun using it now and again even though I was never 100% sure of the words nor who really authored them. Now I can feel certain and confident that I am correct next time I use them, thanks to you.

By Lauriate Roly on 09/02/2009 6:09 pm