Reducing Your Alcohol Intake May Decrease Your Risk Of Dementia

Previous studies have linked alcohol intake to an increased risk of cognitive issues later in life. Now, Prof. Alistair Burns, one of England's top dementia doctors, has found that eliminating alcohol can help reduce the risk of dementia later in life.

"The New Year is the perfect chance for us all to consider our lifestyles and think if there is anything we can improve or change to increase our healthiness - both physical and mental," Burns said, via The Telegraph.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend about one drink per day for women and about two drinks per day for men, though alcohol can affect people differently depending on pre-exisiting conditions and weight.

As alcohol effects every organ of the body, drinking too much can harm the liver and the brain or other vital organs.

Furthermore, other health problems can be linked to excessive alcohol consumption, including breast cancer, liver damage, alcohol abuse or dependence, violence, and unintentional injuries.

"While stopping drinking altogether isn't a reality for many people, cutting down can make a huge difference," Burns added. "However, it can be very easy for one glass to lead to two and then to a bottle and this can seriously increase your risk of developing dementia in later life along with many other health conditions."

As it stands, statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website showed that as many as five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, as of 2013. The number doubles every five years and might reach 14 million by 2050.

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