We all know drinking is bad for you, but a health expert has ruled on when exactly you should give up drinking entirely.
American neurologist Dr Richard Restak has written 20 books on the human brain and has declared there is a set age you should become a teetotaller or risk brain damage.
Dr Restak wants us all to give up drinking from the age of 65.
“Alcohol is a very, very weak neurotoxin – it’s not good for nerve cells,” writes Dr Restak in his book, The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind.
“It is essential to abstain from alcohol at a stage in life where preserving neurons is crucial.
“I strongly suggest that if you are 65 years old or older, that you completely and permanently eliminate alcohol from your diet.”
Cut it out
Dr Restak believes that people should start reducing their alcohol consumption around the age of 65 to completely cut it out by age 70.
“I strongly suggest that if you are 65 years old or older, that you completely and permanently eliminate alcohol from your diet,” he writes.
Dr Restak urges people to consider cutting out alcohol from their diet to minimise the risk of developing dementia.
Dr Restak also advises taking regular naps, to keep reading and look after your hearing.
People who drink excessively are at a higher rate of developing dementia.
A study published in the JAMA Network found that sustained heavy drinkers had an 8 per cent increased risk of dementia, however, other studies have found there is brain damage at all levels of drinking.
In 2024, it is estimated that more than 421,000 Australians live with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to more than 812,500 by 2054.
No safe level
Dr Restak’s stand is backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which takes it one step further.
In 2023, WHO declared that when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health.
WHO compares alcohol to some of the most poisonous substances known to science.
“Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive and dependence-producing substance and has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago – this is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco,” it stated.
“Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer, including the most common cancer types, such as bowel cancer and female breast cancer.
“Ethanol (alcohol) causes cancer through biological mechanisms as the compound breaks down in the body, which means that any beverage containing alcohol, regardless of its price and quality, poses a risk of developing cancer.”
Brain injury
As well as general dementia, people who drink heavily are also at risk of alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI). Wernicke’s encephalopathy, Korsakoff’s syndrome and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are types of alcohol-related brain injury.
Men over 45 with a long history of alcohol abuse are the most likely to develop ARBI.
Would you consider giving up alcohol at a set age? Why not share your opinion in the comments section below?
