Effects of Moderate Alcohol Consumption on Cognitive Function in Women

The adverse effects of excess alcohol intake on cognitive function are well established, but the effect of moderate alcohol consumption is uncertain. This study assessed cognitive function in relation to alcohol intake among women in the Nurses' Health Study who were 70 to 81 years of age and then reassessed it two years later. The data suggest that up to one drink per day does not impair cognitive function and may actually slow cognitive decline. Habitual excess alcohol intake impairs the brain, 1 but the effect of moderate consumption is unclear. A cognitive benefit from moderate alcohol intake is plausible, given the strong link between moderate alcohol intake and the decreased risk of cardiovascular disease 2 , 3 ; cognitive impairment and cardiovascular disease share common risk factors. 4 In addition, Ruitenberg et al. reported that moderate alcohol consumption was related to a decreased risk of both vascular and nonvascular dementia 5 and proposed that moderate alcohol consumption may increase the release of brain acetylcholine. Most studies, 6 – 15 but not all, 16 – 18 have tended to show that moderate drinkers do . . .