That relaxing glass of wine after work might not be as innocent as it seems. A new 2025 study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine is shaking up what we thought we knew about alcohol and brain health. It suggests that even “moderate” drinking — long believed to be safe — could raise your risk of dementia. And according to Apollo neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, the safest amount for your brain might actually be none at all.
Dr Kumar took to X and shared, “No amount of alcohol is truly safe for your brain. A major 2025 study found that the more you drink, the higher your risk of dementia — even at so-called ‘moderate’ levels. Genetic data showed a 15% higher dementia risk for every step up in alcohol intake. The idea that small amounts protect your brain? Likely a myth caused by bias in older studies.”
According to the study titled, "Alcohol use and risk of dementia in diverse populations: evidence from cohort, case-control and Mendelian randomisation approaches”, submitted to the National Library of Medicine, conducted a large-scale study analysed data from over 2.4 million people, combining results from both observational research and genetic analyses. It followed 559 adults aged 56–72 years in the US and UK for up to 12 years. During this period, over 14,000 participants developed dementia.
Interestingly, traditional observational studies showed what scientists call a “U-shaped curve”: both non-drinkers and heavy drinkers appeared to have higher dementia risk, while light drinkers seemed somewhat protected. But when researchers dug deeper using genetic methods — which remove many biases — that apparent benefit disappeared. The genetic analysis showed a steady, linear increase in dementia risk with each rise in alcohol consumption.
To put it simply, every extra drink per week slightly increased the chances of developing dementia. A one standard deviation rise in weekly alcohol intake was linked to a 15% higher dementia risk. Those with alcohol use disorder faced a 16% higher risk compared to non-drinkers.
The researchers also found that many people drink less as early signs of dementia appear, which might explain why earlier studies misleadingly showed light drinking as protective. In reality, it wasn’t alcohol helping the brain — it was early cognitive decline leading people to cut back.
Dr Kumar summed it up bluntly, saying that he sees the effects of cognitive decline every day in his patients, and alcohol remains one of the few risk factors people can actually control. He stressed that drinking in moderation doesn’t protect the brain — in fact, the safest amount for long-term brain health might be none at all. The takeaway? That evening drink might feel like a harmless ritual, but science is now pointing in one direction — the less alcohol, the better for your brain.
Dr Kumar took to X and shared, “No amount of alcohol is truly safe for your brain. A major 2025 study found that the more you drink, the higher your risk of dementia — even at so-called ‘moderate’ levels. Genetic data showed a 15% higher dementia risk for every step up in alcohol intake. The idea that small amounts protect your brain? Likely a myth caused by bias in older studies.”
According to the study titled, "Alcohol use and risk of dementia in diverse populations: evidence from cohort, case-control and Mendelian randomisation approaches”, submitted to the National Library of Medicine, conducted a large-scale study analysed data from over 2.4 million people, combining results from both observational research and genetic analyses. It followed 559 adults aged 56–72 years in the US and UK for up to 12 years. During this period, over 14,000 participants developed dementia.
Interestingly, traditional observational studies showed what scientists call a “U-shaped curve”: both non-drinkers and heavy drinkers appeared to have higher dementia risk, while light drinkers seemed somewhat protected. But when researchers dug deeper using genetic methods — which remove many biases — that apparent benefit disappeared. The genetic analysis showed a steady, linear increase in dementia risk with each rise in alcohol consumption.
No amount of alcohol is truly “safe” for your brain.
— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) November 5, 2025
▶️A major 2025 study in BMJ Evidence Based Medicinefound that the more you drink, the higher your risk of dementia. even at so-called “moderate” levels.
▶️Genetic data showed a 15% higher dementia risk for every step up in… pic.twitter.com/Ma7jHviH6g
To put it simply, every extra drink per week slightly increased the chances of developing dementia. A one standard deviation rise in weekly alcohol intake was linked to a 15% higher dementia risk. Those with alcohol use disorder faced a 16% higher risk compared to non-drinkers.
The researchers also found that many people drink less as early signs of dementia appear, which might explain why earlier studies misleadingly showed light drinking as protective. In reality, it wasn’t alcohol helping the brain — it was early cognitive decline leading people to cut back.
Dr Kumar summed it up bluntly, saying that he sees the effects of cognitive decline every day in his patients, and alcohol remains one of the few risk factors people can actually control. He stressed that drinking in moderation doesn’t protect the brain — in fact, the safest amount for long-term brain health might be none at all. The takeaway? That evening drink might feel like a harmless ritual, but science is now pointing in one direction — the less alcohol, the better for your brain.
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