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Alcohol poses a health risk—even in small doses. But the damage rises sharply once people exceed moderate consumption.
Like brain damage. A new study has found that heavy alcohol use is associated with hyaline atherosclerosis, a condition linked to brain injury. While the researchers note that this doesn’t prove alcohol directly causes brain damage, the association is significant.
“Heavy alcohol consumption is a major global health concern linked to increased health problems and death,” Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo, co-author of the study, said.
“We looked at how alcohol affects the brain as people get older. Our research shows that heavy alcohol consumption is damaging to the brain, which can lead to memory and thinking problems,” he added.
What’s hyaline atherosclerosis? Hyaline atherosclerosis causes blood vessels to narrow, thicken and stiffen, reducing blood flow and damaging surrounding brain tissue. It often appears in areas where the brain has already suffered injury. The condition is also seen in people with diabetes, especially in the kidneys.
From autopsies. The research involved 1,781 deceased individuals, all age 75 or older. The team used brain autopsies to look for damage such as tau protein deposits and signs of hyaline atherosclerosis.
How much is too much? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Tolerance for alcohol depends on factors like age, sex and body size. To assess drinking habits, the researchers interviewed relatives of the deceased.
Based on that information, they grouped people into never-drinkers (965), moderate drinkers (319), heavy drinkers (129), and former heavy drinkers (368).
Finding the link. After adjusting for other factors, the team found that heavy drinkers had a 133% higher risk of brain blood vessel damage than non-drinkers. Former heavy drinkers had an 89% higher risk, and moderate drinkers had a 60% higher risk.
They also found a smaller—but notable—link between alcohol use and tau protein clusters, which are associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
The findings were published in Neurology.
A hard truth. The study also uncovered other associations: cognitive decline in drinkers and a 13-year shorter life expectancy for heavy drinkers compared to abstainers.
While some research suggests small amounts of wine or beer may offer health benefits, most experts agree the risks outweigh them. And the more you drink, the greater the risk.
Image | Vinicius "amnx" Amano (Unsplash)
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