Lower dementia risk by cutting down on common habit

Lower dementia risk by cutting down on common habitNew research suggests regular consumption o one beverage may increase the risk of dementiaCommentsNewsLauren Haughey Lifestyle and Money Reporter and Sophie Buchan Money and Lifestyle Writer02:30, 12 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesThe drink could increase the risk(Image: Jessie Casson via Getty Images)If you want to lower your risk of developing dementia, there is one habit you need to ditch, or at least cut down on.‌According to a study, regular alcohol consumption could cause far more damage than a hangover the next day, as growing research shows it may be seriously harming your cognitive health. According to the NHS, dementia affects more than 944,000 people in the UK.‌The study highlighted the link between the drink and the condition in a 2023 peer-reviewed journal by Atrium Health. Researchers used a 'chronic drinking approach' in which mice were given the option to drink water or alcohol across 10 weeks.‌View 3 ImagesThe study examined how it affected the brain(Image: Ted Horowitz Photography/Getty Images)The US-based team were particularly eager to understand how alcohol consumption was connected to the development of Alzheimer's disease, which is responsible for between 60% and 80% of all dementia cases. Their findings revealed that even 'modest amounts' of the beverage were enough to 'accelerate brain atrophy'.This refers to the shrinking and deterioration of brain tissue, coupled with a rise in 'amyloid plaques' - harmful proteins closely associated with Alzheimer's. "These findings suggest alcohol might accelerate the pathological cascade of Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages," said Associate Professor Shannon Macauley, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, at the time.‌"These preclinical findings suggest that even moderate consumption of alcohol can result in brain injury. Alcohol consumption may be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer...