AdelaideNow... A drink a day may slow dementia: "'The mechanism responsible for why low alcohol consumption appears to protect against the progression to dementia isn't known. However, it is possible that the arrangement of blood vessels in the brain may play a role,' Dr Solfrizzi and Dr Panza conclude."
My Grandmother used to swear by her glass of guiness a day. It was something she enjoyed and looked forward to and she did live to a ripe old age and remained lucid. I know that is not empirical evidence, but I think we tend to look at who we know and what we think when we read about research such as this. I am sure in time we shall discover how a daily drink helps. I think it's about relaxation and about getting a chance to be sociable. Grandma always had her drink when someone was visiting and she always offered them a sherry or a shandy. It was a convivial thing to do and probably helped her realise she was still a social being, even when she was older. Dementia is devastating. My friend's mother changed so quickly and suddenly it was quite distressing even for those of us who merely knew her as part of that family circle. She changed from a dynamic, happy woman to this little old lady who was really only a shell. She didn't ever return to the self we knew but we accepted her as the little old lady who sat quietly at family gatherings and would sometimes become quite angry and particular about something. Whatever it takes to beat this illness would be welcome.
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