Small Alcohol Consumption May Cause Dementia Too

[marcus]

From https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-09-24-any-level-alcohol-consumption-increases-risk-dementia
Title : Any level of alcohol consumption increases risk of dementia
By Oxford University , Sept 2025

A study led by the University of Oxford, Yale University, and the University of Cambridge ...

Dr Anya Topiwala, Senior Clinical Researcher at Oxford Population Health, ... said ‘Our findings challenge the common belief that low levels of alcohol are beneficial for brain health ... Even light or moderate drinking may increase the risk of dementia ...’

Dr Stephen Burgess, Statistician at the University of Cambridge, said ‘... for anyone who chooses to drink, our study suggests that greater alcohol consumption leads to higher risk of dementia.’

Dr Joel Gelernter, Professor at Yale University ... said ‘... there was a time when medical knowledge seemed to support that light drinking would be beneficial to brain health, and this work adds to the evidence that this is not correct’...

 

[Balifrog]

From https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-09-24-any-level-alcohol-consumption-increases-risk-dementia
Title : Any level of alcohol consumption increases risk of dementia
By Oxford University , Sept 2025

A study led by the University of Oxford, Yale University, and the University of Cambridge ...

Dr Anya Topiwala, Senior Clinical Researcher at Oxford Population Health, ... said ‘Our findings challenge the common belief that low levels of alcohol are beneficial for brain health ... Even light or moderate drinking may increase the risk of dementia ...’

Dr Stephen Burgess, Statistician at the University of Cambridge, said ‘... for anyone who chooses to drink, our study suggests that greater alcohol consumption leads to higher risk of dementia.’

Dr Joel Gelernter, Professor at Yale University ... said ‘... there was a time when medical knowledge seemed to support that light drinking would be beneficial to brain health, and this work adds to the evidence that this is not correct’...

This a joke, isn't it ?

 

[pantaiema]

From https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-09-24-any-level-alcohol-consumption-increases-risk-dementia
Title : Any level of alcohol consumption increases risk of dementia
By Oxford University , Sept 2025

A study led by the University of Oxford, Yale University, and the University of Cambridge ...

Dr Anya Topiwala, Senior Clinical Researcher at Oxford Population Health, ... said ‘Our findings challenge the common belief that low levels of alcohol are beneficial for brain health ... Even light or moderate drinking may increase the risk of dementia ...’

Dr Stephen Burgess, Statistician at the University of Cambridge, said ‘... for anyone who chooses to drink, our study suggests that greater alcohol consumption leads to higher risk of dementia.’

Dr Joel Gelernter, Professor at Yale University ... said ‘... there was a time when medical knowledge seemed to support that light drinking would be beneficial to brain health, and this work adds to the evidence that this is not correct’...

If you want to find a solid evidence you will need to take a sample of people in controlled environment, where you isolate other factors, say a few thousands of people with one group of people never drink alcohol, other group of people eating the same diet + Alcohol in moderation and you observe from the day they were born until they die that is where you will get a more credible result. Otherwise there is high probability that other unknown factors might effect the outcome..

The research publication like this is not a mathematical certainty or an invention of a new law in science that can not be disputed.

People in Japan and Mediterranean countries are prime examples that drinking alcohol in moderation, especially if used for food pairing will not necessary shorten your life or increase your chance of developing dementia taking into consideration of the people ages.

One thing is certain: is that, in Indonesia alcohol is costly compared to average Indonesian incomes.Also for some religions drinking alcohol is 'haram'. It is unreasonable to waste money on alcohol drinks if people are still struggling to afford basic necessities like daily food, shelter. Using this excuse and religious excuse might be much credible to not drinking alcohol.

You already get all the glucose your body needs every day just from your regular meals staples like, rice, bread, pasta, and potatoes, which you probably eat multiple times a day.
Despite that, do you still find yourself eating/drinking for any of these?

• High-sugar sweets: Milk chocolate bars, or heavy cake desserts such as Black Forest, Donuts, Martabak Manis,, Battenberg, Baklava, etc
• Sugary drinks: Sodas like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta, and 7-Up, or sweet syrups.
• Sweet fruits: High-sugar fruits like bananas, mangoes, grapes, cherries, and apples.
• Fruit juices: Loaded with natural sugars extracted from these fruits.
• Coffee/Tea added with sugar

Did you eat Chinese, Japanese Asian, Korean, Indonesian Food which knowingly contain MSGs ?

If your answer to any of these is YES, WHY???

Life has so much more to offer when it comes to guilty pleasure, self indulgence, happiness, comfort. Unless you believe you get a second chance in another life, remember: you only live once. There is no solid evidence that consuming alcohol, sugar, msg in moderation will shorten your life.

 

[harryopal1]

The following comments might only be understood by Australian followers of Australian rules football. I have no actual evidentiary proof but based on 77 years of following Richmond it is clear to me that Collingwood supporters not only suffer from dementia but have very low IQs and are prone to anti social behaviour and should be avoided wherever possible.

 

[Pak Tani]

People in Japan and Mediterranean countries are prime examples that drinking alcohol in moderation (...) will not (...) increase your chance of developing dementia taking into consideration of the people ages.

Dude, what do you mean. Are you trying to refute the findings of the research conducted by these three universities? Or is there a genetic reason or perhaps a geo-locational or sociology-economic reason why these people are exceptions?

If you have any research that supports your claim, please let us know. The standards you laid out are acceptable:

...a sample of people in controlled environment, where you isolate other factors, say a few thousands of people with one group of people never drink alcohol, other group of people eating the same diet + Alcohol in moderation and you observe from the day they were born until they die...

 

[Balifrog]

I laugh at the seriousness of certain people on this subject....

I am French, we have a wine culture, not a bing drinking culture like Brits or Aussies..

OK, a few examples :

Until 1956, French primary schools commonly served wine, beer, or cider with student lunches, reflecting a culture where alcohol was viewed as a regular part of daily nourishment and a safer alternative to untreated water. [1, 2, 3]

Historical Practice and Rules

• • Portions: Children were typically permitted up to four small glasses (roughly 125 ml total, often watered down) per day.
  • Beliefs: Adults believed the drinks killed germs, provided energy, and warmed children during cold weather.
  • Cafeterias: Schools sold alcoholic beverages in cafeterias, and parents frequently packed them or let students buy them. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The Ban Timeline

• 
  
• 
  
• • 1956: The French government banned serving alcoholic drinks to children under 14 years old in school cafeterias, shifting official preferences toward milk.
  • 1981: A total ban on all alcoholic beverages in schools and high schools went into effect, ending the tradition completely.
  I spend 7 years in the Navy (start 1970 at 18) and 34 years in international construction. Those are not environnements where people driink smoothies....
  I NEVER heard of ex colleagues getting dementia. Most passed away from the usual things like cancer, heart attack, AVC and a few from pneumonia.
  Myself have always been a "serious" drinker (not heavy drinker).
  
  Even now, at 73, when I go to the bar or listening to some music I can down 10 J.D Coke.
  And I am still kicking, I still can do some moves on the dance floor, I dont take any pills, and I am not crazy.
  So all this "scientific" B.S. make me laugh...
  
  Now had you told me that heavy smoking (1 pack a day) can cause cancer, yes with that I agree ! So I have never smoked.
  
  

 

[pantaiema]

Dude, what do you mean. Are you trying to refute the findings of the research conducted by these three universities? Or is there a genetic reason or perhaps a geo-locational or sociology-economic reason why these people are exceptions?

If you have any research that supports your claim, please let us know. The standards you laid out are acceptable:

This is not Math or law in science. It is not uncommon for such studies to be subsequently invalidated by another study, as numerous confounding variables are frequently not taken into account.

Remember when numerous studies claimed a little red wine was healthy, and then suddenly another research stated that no amount of alcohol is safe? It's hard to know which one to believe. Personally, I'm just going to drink what I enjoy, as long as it is generally safe to consume.

"People in Japan and Mediterranean countries are prime examples that drinking alcohol in moderation, especially if used for food pairing will not necessary shorten your life or increase your chance of developing dementia taking into consideration of the people ages."

Even with their long history of cultural alcohol consumption, populations in Japan and the Mediterranean live longer on average. You can easily find statistics showing the high life expectancy in this region. It's also important to remember that other factors contribute to dementia, such as age, genetics, and a lack of regular mental, brain stimulation.. When reviewing them, also keep in mind that people who live longer, older people are naturally more likely to develop dementia than those who die at a younger age.

 

[Balifrog]

It is not uncommon for such studies to be subsequently invalidated by another study, as numerous confounding variables are frequently not taken into account.

Remember ?

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/british-journal-retracts-study-on-excess-mortality-after-covid-19-pandemic/4025285

And I could go on and on with HIV etc...

Anyway, I am not going to change my lifestyle !
It's much more fun than waiting to die watching T.V. !

 

[Pak Tani]

I laugh at the seriousness of certain people on this subject....

It is not so much about the subject itself, but about the way this thorough study is dismissed without sound arguments.
Just because there are groups of people who grow older than average with less dementia doesn't disprove the findings of the research.
It is an interesting observation, but some reasons why they grow older are possibly linked to the same reasons why they have less dementia: healthy food and habits.

 

[Pak Tani]

Remember when numerous studies claimed a little red wine was healthy, and then suddenly another research stated that no amount of alcohol is safe? It's hard to know which one to believe.

The study claiming red wine in moderation is healthy is 35 years old and its findings are now generally agreed to be flawed. Maybe the whole study was flawed, based on wrong assumptions.

Science is an ever evolving project; if the subject is interesting or important enough for you, you'll try to keep up to date.

 

[Balifrog]

It is not so much about the subject itself, but about the way this thorough study is dismissed without sound arguments.
Just because there are groups of people who grow older than average with less dementia doesn't disprove the findings of the research.
It is an interesting observation, but some reasons why they grow older are possibly linked to the same reasons why they have less dementia: healthy food and habits.

Maybe simply because they enjoy life ?

And, B.T.W., I never eat junk food or the local stuff.
What you mean by "older than average" ?

 

[Pak Tani]

Maybe simply because they enjoy life ?

Good!

What you mean by "older than average" ?

On average they die at an older age than people from other countries?

 

[pantaiema]

Maybe simply because they enjoy life ?

I certainly agree and follow this life style. For many people, life is too short. Being happy, enjoying life is more important than waste your time thinking every minute about the research finding which have not been a consensus of a scientists and experts.

For @Pak Tani I am not quite sure which lifestyle you follow. But I am pretty sure you already get all the glucose your body needs every day just from your regular meals staples like, rice, bread, pasta, and potatoes, which you probably eat multiple times a day.

1. Do you still eat/drink any of these?

• High-sugar sweets: Milk chocolate bars, or heavy cake desserts such as Black Forest, Donuts, Martabak Manis,, Battenberg, Baklava, etc
• Sugary drinks: Sodas like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta, and 7-Up, or sweet syrups.
• Sweet fruits: High-sugar fruits like bananas, mangoes, grapes, cherries, and apples.
• Fruit juices: Loaded with natural sugars extracted from these fruits.
• Coffee/Tea added with sugar

2. Did you eat at any Asian restaurants (like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Indonesian) knowing they use MSG?

3. Did you choose to drive or take public transport, even though you know walking is healthier?

If your answer to any of these is YES, WHY???

 

[Balifrog]

Good!

On average they die at an older age than people from other countries?

Who cares ?

 

[Pak Tani]

I certainly agree and follow this life style. For many people, life is too short. Being happy, enjoying life is more important than waste your time thinking every minute about the research finding which have not been a consensus of a scientists and experts.

For @Pak Tani I am not quite sure which lifestyle you follow. But I am pretty sure you already get all the glucose your body needs every day just from your regular meals staples like, rice, bread, pasta, and potatoes, which you probably eat multiple times a day.

1. Do you still eat/drink any of these?

• High-sugar sweets: Milk chocolate bars, or heavy cake desserts such as Black Forest, Donuts, Martabak Manis,, Battenberg, Baklava, etc
• Sugary drinks: Sodas like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta, and 7-Up, or sweet syrups.
• Sweet fruits: High-sugar fruits like bananas, mangoes, grapes, cherries, and apples.
• Fruit juices: Loaded with natural sugars extracted from these fruits.
• Coffee/Tea added with sugar

2. Did you eat at any Asian restaurants (like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Indonesian) knowing they use MSG?

3. Did you choose to drive or take public transport, even though you know walking is healthier?

If your answer to any of these is YES, WHY???

Something tells me you aren't actually looking for answers to all these questions, but rather want to make a point?

 

[Hawk256]

2. Did you eat at any Asian restaurants (like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Indonesian) knowing they use MSG?

Why would MSG matter? The "research" blaming MSG for anything was debunked years ago.

 

[Pak Tani]

Life has so much more to offer when it comes to guilty pleasure, self indulgence, happiness, comfort.

Some people want to be informed about the down sides of their guilty pleasure so they can take them into consideration. In this case, people who are worried about getting dementia may decide to drink less, and only drink alcohol whenever they really want to. People who are not worried about dementia or read the report and deem the risk small and acceptable, will change nothing. Simple. To each his own.

There is no solid evidence that consuming alcohol, sugar, msg in moderation will shorten your life.

The WHO takes a different view on that than you do. (tldr; alcohol is carcinogenic)

 

[pantaiema]

Some people want to be informed about the down sides of their guilty pleasure so they can take them into consideration. In this case, people who are worried about getting dementia may decide to drink less, and only drink alcohol whenever they really want to. People who are not worried about dementia or read the report and deem the risk small and acceptable, will change nothing. Simple. To each his own.

The WHO takes a different view on that than you do. (tldr; alcohol is carcinogenic)

Beside consuming sugar that I have mentioned above, you also hear all these health warnings about processed meat, but still, millions of people across Europe eat things like bacon, ham, salami, and sausages every single day. And the funny thing? They still have a longer life expectancy than in a lot of people in developing countries. Keep in mind alcohol, processed meat, cold cut are not widely consume in developing countries. because of either it is considered relative expensive or because of religious reason. IMO, the key here is eating and drinking in moderation.

Artisan processed meats like Spanish Jamon, Portuguese Presunto, or authentic Italian Prosciutto might cost a small fortune for some people, but families just keep passing down the tradition of enjoying eating them, generation after generation.

At the end of the day, just going vegetarian or skipping alcohol, processed meat in a developing country doesn't automatically mean you'll be healthier. Without strict farming regulations, a lot of mass-produced crops get completely loaded with chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilisers to boost the yield. The exception if you really want to grow your own veggies and fruits in your backyard, you always cook your own meal so you know what you have been getting. Do you actually do this sort of things in your life ??

In developing country like Indonesia you will need to worry more about food contamination/safety rather than thinking about the safety of consuming sugar, alcohol, processed meat, etc where million of people consuming them Every single day. In Indonesia People have actually been caught mixing cooking oil with used motor oil, plunge seafood in formalin, and adding borax to fish and Bakso (meatballs) just to give them that chewy bite. Which one is more dangerous ??? It has also been found several times that some vendors mixed the meat for meatballs with cat/dog meat.

 

[Balifrog]

In developing country like Indonesia you will need to worry more about food contamination/safety rather than thinking about the safety of consuming sugar, alcohol, processed meat, etc where million of people consuming them Every single day. In Indonesia People have actually been caught mixing cooking oil with used motor oil, plunge seafood in formalin, and adding borax to fish and Bakso (meatballs) just to give them that chewy bite. Which one is more dangerous ??? It has also been found several times that some vendors mixed the meat for meatballs with cat/dog meat

The reason I never eat in a local warung.
Besides the fact that food laying all day in trays, in the heat and it really doesn't look very appetizing.
My companion has a parcel of land behind her house and has grown oranges, corn, chili and has now switched to dragon fruit. I can tell you EVERYTHING is generously sprayed with various chemicals.