Drinking a little alcohol may help protect the brain, researchers have reported.
Women who do not smoke are most likely to benefit from moderate drinking of alcohol, according to the findings.
The Spanish researchers say they have found that moderate drinking is linked to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings have been reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alcohol abuse is generally linked to damage to the brain and the new findings are likely to be controversial.
They may reflect a link between moderate drinking and a healthy lifestyle in Spain, including a healthy diet – rather than a direct link between alcohol and Alzheimer’s disease.
However researcher Dr Ana Garcia, of the University of Valencia, Spain, said: "Interactive effects of smoking and drinking are supported by the fact that both alcohol and tobacco affect brain neuronal receptors."
* Meanwhile delegates from around the world yesterday agreed backing for a series of measures to prevent alcohol abuse.
The agreement commits the World Health Organisation to backing action to increase the cost of alcohol and to crack-down on illegal alcohol production and sales.
WHO says alcohol is responsible for four per cent of deaths world-wide.
The strategy was agreed by the World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
García, Ana M, Nieves Ramón-Bou, Miquel Porta. Isolated and joint effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption on risk of Alzheimer’s disease. J Alzheimers Dis 20:2 (May 2010), p 577-586.
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