December 29th, 2008 Moderate drinkers often have lower risks of
Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive loss, according to
researchers who reviewed 44 studies. In more than half of the
studies, published since the 1990s, moderate drinkers of wine,
beer and liquor had lower dementia risks than nondrinkers. In
only a few studies were there increased risks. “Alcohol is a
two-edged sword,” said Michael Collins, Ph.D., a professor and
neuroscientist at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of
Medicine and lead author of the refereed report in the journal
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. “Too much is
bad. But a little might actually be helpful.” Moderate alcohol
consumption generally is defined as 1 drink or less per day for
women and 1-2 drinks or less per day for men. The article will
be published in the February 2009 issue of the journal, and is
available on line now. The article summarizes a roundtable,
organized by Collins, held at the Research Society on Alcoholism
meetings in Chicago in 200