Alcohol and Brain Function

Why alcohol can be problematic for brain health.

For some time now, the medical community has known there is a negative association between consistent high intake of alcohol and brain function. Now, scientists at the University of Oxford, England, have uncovered a potential culprit: iron.

Using brain scans and self-reported alcohol consumption of 20,729 participants (mean age 55; near equal split of males and females) from the UK Biobank, PLOS Medicine reported that drinking as little as about four cans of beer or four glasses of wine a week (12-ounce and 5-ounce drinks, respectively) was associated with higher iron levels in the basal ganglia. That group of brain regions is associated with control of motor movements, learning, cognition and emotion. Iron accumulation in the brain has been linked with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and is a potential contributor to alcohol-related cognitive decline.

While we still don’t have proof that higher iron buildup from drinking alcohol causes brain disorders, there is growing evidence that even moderate alcohol consumption can adversely impact brain function. And the more a person imbibes, the more iron may accumulate in the brain, which may contribute to oxidative damage and a greater chance for poor cognitive functioning. It seems in this case “pumping iron” is not a good thing. 

See also: Alcohol Health Risks