Wine may lower Alzheimer's risk By ALLISON LAWLOR Globe and Mail Update Danish researchers have found a link between drinking wine and a lowered risk of developing dementia, raising hopes that the findings could one day lead to new treatments for people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the Institute of Preventative Medicine in Copenhagen found that people who drank wine were more than two times less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The results support other studies that have also shown a link between wine drinking and lower risk of dementia. But the Danish researchers are quick to say their study was not meant to encourage people to drink more wine. "These results don't mean that people should start drinking wine or drink more wine than they usually do," said the study's author Thomas Truelsen, of the Institute of Preventive Medicine at Kommunehospitalet in Copenhagen. "But the results are exciting because they could mean that substances in wine reduce the occurrence of dementia," Dr. Truelsen said in a news release. He added: "If that's the case, we could potentially develop treatments or prevention methods based on these substances." The findings were published in the November 12th issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The researchers believe that flavonoids — natural compounds that have an antioxidant effect — may be responsible for the beneficial effect. Flavonoids are more common in red wine than white, and exist as well in green tea, fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids have also been associated with a decrease in the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke Danish researchers in the 1970s looked at 1,709 people in Copenhagen and how much wine, beer and liquor they drank. Twenty years later, when the study's participants were age 65 or older, the researchers assessed them for dementia. They found that 83 of the study's participants developed dementia over the two decades. Their alcohol intake was then compared to those who did not develop dementia. The study also found that those who drank wine every day were no more or less likely to develop dementia than those who drank it more or less often. Drinking beer occasionally was linked with a greater risk of developing dementia. People in the study who drank beer monthly were more than two times more likely to develop dementia than those who reported never or hardly ever drinking beer. While the study provides evidence that there is something specifically beneficial about wine, one of its limitations is that eating habits were not assessed, neurologist John Brust, of New York City's Harlem Hospital Center said in an accompanying editorial in the journal. "Research suggests that wine drinkers may have better dietary habits than beer and liquor drinkers," Dr. Brust said. "There is also evidence that dietary vitamin E may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's. These factors were not accounted for in this study." Steve Rudin, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Canada, said he welcomes the study. "This [the study] in itself is not the answer," Mr. Rudin told globeandmail.com on Monday, but added that the study adds to the existing body of knowledge on Alzheimer's disease and dementia and could lead to new treatments in the future. The study also builds on the findings in the Canadian Study of Health and Aging which pointed to the link between the potential positive nature of red wine and dementia, Mr. Rudin said. One in 13 people in Canada suffer from Alzeheimer's disease or dementia. http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet...20021111/wwine1111a/Front/homeBN/breakingnews
"Drinking beer occasionally was linked with a greater risk of developing dementia. People in the study who drank beer monthly were more than two times more likely to develop dementia than those who reported never or hardly ever drinking beer." Wine good. Beer bad. Verrrryyy interesting.
