Alcohol and Your Health

How Alcohol Affects Your Nervous System

Studies have shown that moderate consumption of alcohol not only improves heart health, but also the health of our nervous system. Even though it seems there is still some argument on whether the moderate consumption of alcohol does indeed lower a person’s risk of stroke, there are many other tests showing positive results on the nervous system.
Moderate consumption of alcohol has shown to not only prevent loss of cognitive ability, but it has actually demonstrated a positive impact on thinking ability, or cognition.

The studies were done on individuals who were followed for over a decade on average. The findings were very interesting as those who had a drink every week were at less risk of experiencing poor cognitive functioning as opposed to those who abstained from drinking. The individuals who drank about 4 drinks per day on average actually showed even less risk of poor cognitive ability. In other words, research from all around the world has shown that moderate consumption of alcohol actually has a very positive effect on the ability to think, or cognition.

In addition, moderate consumption of alcohol regularly has also been shown to lower the risk of essential tremors, as well as dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease (source: The MIRAGE study Alzheimer Report, 2000). The studies done on individuals and their risks of dementia for over half a decade had shown that the moderate drinkers had over a 50% lower risk of developing a form of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease as compared to those who did not drink any alcohol.

And that’s not all. In fact, research has shown that those who drink alcohol moderately performed better on memory tests, concentration, oral fluency, as well as verbal associative abilities. Basically, what all of the studies show is that those who consume alcohol in moderate amounts on a regular basis have substantially less risk of dementia and/or other nervous system related diseases and conditions that those who abstain from drinking alcohol or are heavy drinkers.
One thing we really need to stress is the effect alcohol consumption has on adolescents. Research has shown that alcohol has a very negative effect on the cognitive development in adolescents and any consumption of alcohol by adolescents should be avoided in order to avoid the risk of decreased levels of cognitive development.
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CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

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Please note:
Each person’s body is different and alcohol consumption does pose some potential risks to the digestive system such as increased risk of stomach inflammation, cirrhosis, chronic and acute pancreastitis, hypoglycemia (chronic low blood sugar) and even hepatitis for many individuals. The studies conducted are, in most cases, focused on more moderate drinkers (around 1-2 drinks per day) and does not include those who abstain from alcohol as well as those who drink heavily on a regular basis. The results found are from studies performed over periods of time decided upon by scientists and medical professionals from around the world and are not studies conducted by The Hangover Network. The information provided is for informational purposes and not to be considered as medical advice. So, please always consult with your medical professional for more details on the potential risks that may affect you individually.