Having trouble remembering if your team won last night? Maybe it’s time to put down that drink
Adriane Davis
| 1 min read
Drinking a few beers during a football game may not seem like that much, but a new study reports that heavy drinking could be the reason you’re having trouble remembering who won the game.
The study followed 7,000 middle-aged men and women over ten years. Among those 7,000, were heavy drinkers, moderate drinkers, and people who abstained from drinking. The results showed significant cognitive decline in men who were heavy drinkers.
Researchers administered tests that measured memory and executive function, the kind of thinking that helps you plan, organize, and learn new things. Men who were heavy drinkers showed a steep decline in cognitive function over the ten-year period. Men who abstained or were moderate drinkers did not lose considerable cognitive function. The cognitive results for women were not as dramatic but women who drank heavily were at higher risk for breast cancer and liver disease.
As people age, we all lose some mental sharpness but heavily drinking can accelerate this process. Take in consideration cutting back alcohol consumption as you get older, to decrease the chances of accelerating aging, diminished mental capacity, and risks of a heart attack.
Remember, consuming alcohol in moderation can have health benefits, but there are consequences for drinking even a little too much.
Photo credit: Sarah-Jane
