Alcohol May Hasten Mental Decline In Men

Alcohol May Hasten Mental Decline In Men

A study that looked at the effects of alcohol on nearly 5,000 male British civil servants over a period of more than a decade showed that middle-aged men that have a heavy drinking habit suffer faster mental decline.

The study showed that over a decade, the decline was close to two extra years of aging for abilities like reasoning and a shocking six years of aging for memory. The results of the heavy drinkers were compared to men who drank moderately or didn't drink at all.

While the fact that alcohol has a bad influence on mental abilities is no news, the study managed to focus on the effects it has on an often overlooked demographic. While much research has been done on the effect of alcohol on young and elderly men, there is little to no data showing its effects on middle aged men.

The study was published in the journal of Neurology this Wednesday. The same effects did not seem extend to women, however, too few participated in the study to calculate any relevant data.

The study managed to calculate the average intake of men up to the age of 56 and then calculated the mental decline through tests that were administered every five years. While the research shows clear signs of mental decline for heavier drinkers, it is not yet determined if alcohol is the only reason behind the mental decline.

Posted by George Daniels on Sunday January 19 2014, 3:30 AM EST. Ref: cbc. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0