24 Sept 2025 • A large analysis of 559,000+ adults found that alcohol consumption increases dementia risk.

Key Findings:

• While observational data suggested a U-shaped curve, with higher risk in non-drinkers and heavy drinkers (>40 drinks/week; HR = 1.41), Mendelian randomisation showed a monotonic relationship: each SD increase in alcohol intake raised dementia risk by 15% (OR = 1.15).
• Alcohol use disorder further elevated the risk (OR = 1.16).
• The apparent protective effect in light drinkers was likely due to declining intake in early dementia.

Findings confirm no safe level of alcohol use, underscoring reduction as a key dementia prevention strategy.

Source: BMJ Journals | Read Full Story