Key points

Alcohol likely isn’t helping your brain, and it may be hurting it, even in moderation.

Increasing alcohol intake was associated with higher dementia risk, with no protective effects.

Fortunately, the magnitude of the negative effect for moderate drinking was small.

If you’re drinking, do it safely and because you enjoy it, not based on any belief that it’s good for you.

I grew up in the red wine-loving, “ French Paradox ” era of alcohol and health messaging, which told us that a little bit of alcohol was actually healthier than completely abstaining.

In recent years, the tide has gradually been turning against the idea that moderate alcohol consumption is good for your health. One challenge was methodological. Many alcohol abstainers have quit for health reasons or

See Full Page