According to a neurologist, there is an age when you should stop drinking beer

The consumption of alcoholic beverages remains deeply rooted in French cultural practices. However, these drinks constitute a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in our country and elsewhere. In 2015, according to figures from Public Health France41,000 deaths were attributable to alcohol, including 16,000 deaths from cancer, 9,900 deaths from cardiovascular diseases, 6,800 from digestive diseases, 5,400 from an external cause (accident or suicide) and more than 3,000 from other illness (mental illnesses, behavioral disorders, etc.).

And the harmful effects don’t stop at mortality. Beer, although very popular, should be consumed in moderation, especially after the age of 65. According to American neurologist, neuropsychiatrist, author and professor Richard Restak, excessive beer consumption could lead to memory problems, mental decline, and even dementia.

The neurologist placed the age limit at 65 years old

In his book The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mindhe explains that alcohol indiscriminately impairs brain functions. It is a “very weak neurotoxin”, which disrupts communication between neurons.

The neurologist placed the age limit at 65 because this is a period when the body loses neurons more quickly. Mental decline accelerates, and “ it is essential to abstain from alcohol at a stage of life when the preservation of neurons is crucial », he insists, quoted by Surrey Live. He adds that for older people, drinking beer can be particularly dangerous because of the cumulative harm.

“A toxic chemical”

The expert’s advice was echoed by the NHS, the United Kingdom’s public health system, which warns: “ Alcohol is a toxic chemical that can have a wide range of adverse effects on almost every part of your body. The effects of alcohol may vary. Sometimes you feel the effects almost instantly. Other times it may take longer and may happen after having a few drinks. »

In 2021 France, 94.9% of adults report having already consumed alcohol in their life. This proportion has remained relatively stable at least since the beginning of the 1990s. For several decades, weekly and daily consumption has been decreasing. But if a downward trend has been observed since the 1960s, it seems to have stagnated in recent years. Progress remains to be made…