Just 8 Drinks a Week Might Raise Your Risk of Dementia, Study Finds

Before you pour that glass of wine every night, you might want to think twice. A recent study suggests that even moderate drinking may put your brain at risk, which is causing some to raise their eyebrows and alarm. Researchers found that drinking as little as eight alcoholic beverages a week may increase your chances of developing dementia later in life. That’s just a little over one drink a day—an amount many people would consider pretty reasonable, even healthy by some standards.

Are you serious? Only eight? Yep. Over 40,000 people were tracked over several years in the study, which was published in JAMA Network Open. They found that compared to those who drank less or none at all, those who drank eight drinks or more per week had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. While the risk was greater in heavy drinkers (no surprise there), the fact that a “moderate” amount like eight drinks could make a difference is what’s turning heads.

So, What Takes Place in the Brain? We already know that alcohol affects the brain—especially with long-term or heavy use. But even at lower levels, alcohol can still mess with things like memory, cognitive function, and brain structure.

The brain's resilience may be slowly eroded over time by regular alcohol use—even what we would call "casual" drinking, according to researchers. The changes may be subtle, but they add up.

Should I Stop Drinking Altogether?

Necessarily not. However, this might be a good time to evaluate your routines. Health experts say the definition of “moderate” drinking might need a rethink. The old guideline of one drink per day for women and two for men? This study suggests even that might not be as safe as we thought, at least when it comes to protecting your brain.

Dr. The study was reviewed by neurologist Emily Hart, who stated succinctly, "We used to think only heavy drinking was risky for brain health." We are now finding out that even lower levels may have long-term effects. Bottom Line

This doesn’t mean you have to quit alcohol forever. But it’s a reminder that “moderation” isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept—and that sometimes, less really is more.

If your brain’s going to carry you through the next few decades, it might be worth giving it every advantage you can. Additionally, reducing the amount of that second or third drink might be a good place to begin. Let me know if you want this adjusted for a younger audience, a more formal tone, or even broken down into a short social media post or infographic.

Before you pour that glass of wine every night, you might want to think twice. A recent study suggests that even moderate drinking may put your brain at risk, which is causing some to raise their eyebrows and alarm. As little as eight alcoholic drinks per week may increase your risk of dementia later in life, according to researchers. That’s just a little over one drink a day—an amount many people would consider pretty reasonable, even healthy by some standards.

Are you serious? Only eight? Yep. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed more than 40,000 adults in the UK over several years, tracking both their drinking habits and cognitive health outcomes. The researchers controlled for a variety of variables, including age, gender, education, and way of life, and the participants ranged in age from middle-aged to elderly. The main outcome? Those who consumed eight or more standard drinks per week had a higher risk of developing dementia, even after accounting for other health variables. This was true regardless of whether one drank spirits, beer, or wine. Even though it is common knowledge that excessive drinking harms the brain, this research suggests that the threshold for harm may be lower than we had previously thought. What specific effects does it have on the brain? The hippocampus, which is connected to memory and learning, can shrink as a result of alcohol interference with brain communication pathways. Over time, that damage can accumulate—leading to cognitive decline, memory problems, and, eventually, conditions like dementia.

The scary part is that these effects might begin at levels of drinking many people consider normal. According to the researchers, repeated alcohol exposure—even at moderate levels—could be enough to stress the brain’s protective systems and slowly wear them down.

It's not just about how much you drink; habits like binge drinking—having multiple drinks at once—may even increase the risk. So, Should We All Quit Drinking?

Not necessarily, but the findings of this study are alarming. For years, the idea of “moderate drinking” has been floated as a kind of sweet spot: enough to enjoy a drink socially or relax after work, without doing harm. Even light drinking, especially red wine, was found to have cardiovascular benefits in some studies. But the evidence is shifting. These alleged benefits have been questioned by recent research, and studies like this one are highlighting real risks, even at low to moderate levels. Dr. Emily Hart, a neurologist who reviewed the findings, says it comes down to individual choices. “We’re not telling people they can’t ever drink again,” she says. However, people ought to have access to all information so that they can make decisions that are in line with their health objectives. If you’re trying to preserve brain health as you age, cutting back—or cutting out alcohol altogether—might be worth considering.”

The Bigger Picture: A Shift in How We Think About Alcohol

This study isn’t happening in a vacuum. Public health agencies are already beginning to reevaluate their alcohol guidelines worldwide. In 2023, Canada’s health authority updated its recommendations to say that any amount of alcohol can carry health risks—and suggested limiting intake to just two drinks per week for lower risk.

That’s a far cry from the