Alcohol sharpens the brain?
In good news for those who like to drink wine, researchers at the University College of London have found that drinking half a bottle of wine every day makes your brain work better, especially if you happen to be a woman. Even one glass of wine a week results in significantly sharper thought processes.
A long term study of 10,000 British public servants over a 30 year period, this research measured verbal and mathematical reasoning problems and short term memory. The best results were from those who drank 1/2 bottle of wine of two pints of beer a day. Drunkenness, however, tends to negate any improvements of drinking in men as larger quantities tend to slow the brain processes down. Women drinkers, on the other hand, showed no sign of flattening out with increased consumption.
The findings are reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, and suggest that the results may reflect the fact that alcohol can increase blood flow to the brain which is linked to improved mental function.
The researchers speculated women might benefit more because of the different way in which they metabolise alcohol. They also acknowledge that the benefits of alcohol can be outweighed by the increased risks of getting diseases such as cancer and cirrhosis, and that the findings should not be used as an excuse for heavier drinking.
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Adapted for byronbodyandsoul.com by Mark O'Brien
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kariuki nelson April 21, 2012 9:43pm
VERY CORRECT