While the study cannot definitively establish causation, its findings support the idea that alcohol can be neurotoxic and potentially harm brain health over a lifetime.

This study is especially significant given the rising dementia cases in the UK, projected to reach 1.4 million by 2040, highlighting the importance of public health efforts to reduce alcohol consumption.

Previous studies were often confounded by the 'sick quitter' effect, where individuals who stop drinking due to illness are grouped with lifelong non-drinkers, skewing results.

A 2016 analysis found that the supposed protective effect of light drinking largely disappeared after excluding former drinkers, indicating that moderate drinking may not be beneficial after all.

The research shows a U-shaped association, where light drinkers have the lowest risk, but both non-drinkers and heavy drinkers face higher risks, with heavy drinkers (over 40 drinks per week) experiencing a 51% increased risk.

Earlier research frequently focused on older populations and did not differentiate between lifelong nondrinkers and former drinkers, but this new study aims to address those limitations using genetic analysis.

A comprehensive study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine reveals that drinking any amount of alcohol likely increases the risk of dementia, challenging the previous belief that moderate alcohol consumption might be protective.

Experts advise that individuals with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s, such as the APOE4 variant, should abstain from alcohol for optimal brain health, though the risks may vary depending on drinking habits and timing.