According to recent research, that glass of Chardonnay you're sipping on might be more than just a perfect pairing for a dinner of balsamic glazed salmon. It could end up being a valuable weapon against Alzheimer's.
Study basics
Scientists have conducted a study that has unearthed new evidence suggesting that, among elderly populations (75+ years old), mild to moderate alcohol drinkers (20-29g per day) are less likely to develop dementia than people who drink to excess or who don't drink at all.
Of the people who participated in the study, 6.7% ended up acquiring dementia by the time of its conclusion. Of these dementia-stricken people, about half were not consistent consumers of alcohol, a quarter drank only enough to average out to less than one drink per day, the remaining quarter was pretty evenly split between those that consumed two drinks per day and those that had more than that.
The bottom line
When you sift through all of the facts and figures, the bottom line is that, this study is adding to the body of previous investigations that have linked mild to moderate alcohol consumption with certain health benefits.
Certain limitations inherent in the study prevent it from proving direct causation between moderate drinking and a reduced risk for dementia. However, it does point to the fact that these two variables appear to be linked in a meaningful way.
This means that, if consumed responsibly by individuals of any age, that glass of Chardonnay can provide you with a slew of benefits—outside of the fact that it tastes good.
For more information on dementia:
How to Know if Your Parent Has Dementia
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's and Dementia