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Does Life in Space Need the Sun? Scientists Have a New Theory
12 October 2025
Researchers from the UK and the US have investigated the drivers of dementia among millions of people globally. The latest findings reveal that moderate drinking dementia risk is real, with up to 15 percent higher odds for those engaging in this common evening habit—often praised for supposed health benefits—when regular routines begin.
Until recently, many believed that a daily glass of wine could support heart and brain health. However, new, large-scale studies are proving this to be a myth. Even small quantities of alcoholic beverages can negatively impact brain function and the cardiovascular system. This discovery fundamentally changes the perception of moderate drinking. Now, scientists are specifically pointing to alcohol consumption as a factor that may significantly increase dementia risk.
An international team of researchers conducted one of the largest and most precise genetic studies in history. It involved nearly 2.5 million individuals aged 56–72, representing diverse ethnic groups, including European, Latino, and African populations.
Over 90 percent of participants admitted to consuming alcohol. The volunteers were observed for 12 years, allowing for exceptionally accurate and long-term tracking of alcohol’s influence on the body.
For their analysis, the scientists used Mendelian Randomisation—a cutting-edge genetic technique that examines inherited gene variants to assess the causal effect of various factors on health. This method allowed them to reliably estimate participants’ lifelong exposure to alcoholic beverages without confounding factors, such as self-reported memory issues, lifestyle choices, or other external influences.
The study results clearly demonstrated that neither wine nor any other type of alcohol provides a protective health function. On the contrary—consuming just 1–3 servings of alcohol per week may increase the risk of developing dementia by up to 15 percent. Interestingly, many individuals later diagnosed with the disease gradually reduced their alcohol intake several years before the onset of the first symptoms. This phenomenon was particularly evident in those who had previously drunk more frequently and over longer periods. This does not mean that cutting down causes dementia; rather, early cognitive changes likely led some people to drink less (reverse causation).
Although the research was conducted meticulously, it does have limitations. The core technique, Mendelian Randomisation, relies on assumptions that cannot always be fully verified in practice. Furthermore, the majority of participants were of European descent, which may make the complete generalisation of results to other populations challenging.
Despite these constraints, supplementary analyses confirmed the study’s primary conclusions. Crucially, the researchers’ work is distinguished from previous experiments because it covers all types of dementia, not just selected forms. This provided a fuller and more reliable picture of alcohol’s impact on brain health.
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The study’s inclusion of all conditions related to cognitive impairment is not its only strength. Most importantly, the technique used revealed insights that other methods could not. Why?
Traditional studies are often susceptible to confounding factors—such as a participant’s education, income, or lifestyle. Genetic analysis bypasses these pitfalls, providing a much more robust and clear assessment of the factor being studied.
For readers concerned about moderate drinking dementia risk, the takeaway is straightforward: cutting back—or skipping that habitual evening drink—may be one of the simplest ways to support long-term brain health.
Read this article in Polish: Naukowcy alarmują: popularny napój może powodować demencję
Humanism
11 October 2025
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