Your Cart is Empty
Alcohol is commonly consumed in the United States, but the brain is always active behind the scenes managing critical functions. When alcohol enters the system, the brain has to continue working despite its impairing effects. New research suggests that even low levels of alcohol consumption may negatively affect brain health.
The new study explored the potential effects of moderate alcohol use on brain health. Prior studies suggest that even modest drinking habits are associated with decreased blood circulation in the brain and loss of volume in regions tied to cognitive function, memory, and learning.
Researchers collected data from 45 healthy adults ranging in age from 22 to 70 who did not have alcohol use abuse. Participants completed questionnaires designed to measure lifetime alcohol consumption and identify other potential influences on brain health, such as neurological issues, psychiatric conditions, and recent use of substances. They then used MRI imaging to assess brain health.
The results showed that participants with higher monthly averages of alcohol use showed greater declines in brain blood flow compared to those who drank less frequently or in smaller amounts. The findings also revealed that older adults were more affected, with aging and long-term alcohol exposure together associated with widespread reductions in blood flow throughout the brain.
One possible explanation for the findings is oxidative stress, which is linked to inflammation, aging, and damage to cells throughout the body. Future research involving larger groups of participants is needed to better understand how low-level drinking may impact coordination, balance, and dexterity.
To view the original scientific study click below:
The interaction of age and total lifetime drinks is associated with regional cortical perfusion and thickness in healthy adults with low-level alcohol consumption
Being alone isn't necessarily harmful, but feeling lonely may be. According to a new study, older adults who experience persistent loneliness may face a faster decline in both cognitive and physical health. The researchers found that loneliness remained strongly linked to poorer brain health and an increased risk of early death, regardless of how socially isolated a person was.
Imagine being able to preserve your healthiest blood stem cells while you're young, then using them decades later to help rejuvenate your body. New research in mice suggests it may one day be possible to restore a more youthful blood-forming system and immune system by transplanting young stem cells later in life.
The gut microbiome is the community of trillions of bacteria, fungi and viruses that primarily live in the colon. These tiny organisms help digest food while producing compounds that can influence many aspects of both physical and mental health. Researchers have uncovered a link between specific gut bacteria and biological aging, adding to growing evidence that the gut microbiome may affect how we age.