It’s no secret that alcohol is widely used in Spain, but are we aware of its damaging effects on the brain?
According to the Spanish Survey on Alcohol and Drugs, it is the ‘most consumed psychoactive substance’ in the country.
Now, a leading neurologist has said it is best to avoid alcohol altogether if you want to protect your health.
It is one of the key bits of advice in Richard Restak’s book, Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind.
In it, the expert says it is best to avoid alcohol, especially after the age of 65, which is when our brains become more vulnerable.
This, he explains, is because the body begins to lose neurons, so preserving them is essential.
‘Alcohol is a very weak neurotoxin: it damages nerve cells,’ he says. These cells are key for memory, thinking, and other cognitive processes.
While the neuronal loss isn’t excessively high (2 or 4%, according to the studies he cites), it is enough to warrant trying to prevent it.
‘If you are 65 or older, I strongly recommend that you abstain from alcohol completely and permanently,’ he writes.
Neuronal deterioration is not the only risk associated with alcohol consumption. As Restak notes in his book, alcohol is also linked to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Furthermore, it makes people more prone to falls, which becomes especially dangerous at a certain age because they can cause injuries and, in some cases, even death.
Restak also advises people to exercise as it increases blood flow throughout the body, including the brain.
He said it is also important to maintain social connections, spend time with others, get enough sleep, be organised, eat a healthy diet and try to reduce stress.
Activities that help keep you mentally active are often recommended, such as reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, playing a musical instrument, playing chess or cards, doing Sudoku, or learning a language.
Learning something new is key because it promotes the creation of new neural pathways.
