Glass of unexpected drink help lower dementia risk

Health

This Boozy Surprise Could Slash Your Risk of Dementia Scientists Say

Published on July 14, 2025

When most of us think about keeping our brains in top shape as we age, it’s all about the usual suspects – hitting the gym, doing a crossword or two, maybe switching to kale salads. But what if your evening glass of wine is doing more than just helping you unwind? According to WebMD, there’s growing evidence that a cheeky glass might actually be good for your brain.

The Mediterranean and DASH diets have long been praised for supporting cognitive health, but it’s the MIND diet – a combination of the two – that’s really turning heads. WebMD highlights that early research into the MIND diet found it could lower Alzheimer’s risk by a whopping 53 percent for those who stick to it strictly. Even those following it more loosely saw their risk dip by around 35 percent. And here’s the twist – one of the unexpected heroes of this brain-friendly diet is red wine, as reported by Surrey Live.

It might sound too good to be true, but red wine is packed with flavonoids – naturally occurring compounds found in plants, particularly in berries. These include anthocyanins, which give berries and red wine their deep colours. Healthline points out that these pigments mostly come from the outer skins of berries and end up in products like red wine.

These flavonoids aren’t just pretty – they’re packed with antioxidants. That means they help the body combat everyday toxins. The Express reports these compounds have been linked to reduced risks of dementia, depression, and even high blood pressure.

But before you crack open a bottle and pour yourself a large one, there’s a bit of fine print. Experts stress that moderation is key – think one glass a day for women and two for men. Go overboard and the effects flip, potentially increasing the risk of brain issues rather than helping prevent them.

To see how drinking habits might link to dementia, researchers tracked 1,709 Copenhagen residents starting in the 1970s. They checked in again two decades later when the participants were 65 or older. Out of the group, 83 developed dementia, and researchers compared their drinking habits to those who didn’t.

While the findings were interesting, the study didn’t look at things like diet or exercise, so it’s hard to know if wine was really the magic bullet. Neurologist John Brust commented that wine drinkers might just have generally healthier lifestyles than people who prefer beer or spirits. He also pointed to other research suggesting vitamin E might help protect the brain too – something not factored into this study. Still, he called it a “provocative report” with promising evidence that wine could be doing something uniquely helpful.

Not everyone’s completely sold on the idea though. Dr Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, urged caution. She pointed out that just because people with more flavonoids in their diets had fewer memory problems, it doesn’t mean that flavonoids are the direct cause. Dementia is complicated and influenced by all sorts of factors – age, genes, lifestyle choices – so it’s tricky to pin it on just one element.

Still, for wine lovers, it’s a welcome note that something you already enjoy might be doing your brain a small favour – just don’t forget to pour wisely.

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