One of the most abused substances is alcohol, and overdrinking leads to many deaths around the world. Alcoholic substances such as wine can offer some health benefits for older adults, but unhealthy consumption habits could cause damage to internal organs and increase the risk of several chronic conditions. Continue reading to learn about the effects of wine on the brain and whether it causes dementia.
Memory Loss
Drinking wine can hinder the ability of the brain to transfer data from short-term memory to long-term storage. The transfer problems typically happen because of the ingredients in wine that damage the hippocampus, which is vital to learning abilities and critical thinking skills. Over time, drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages could cause the hippocampus to shrink, leading to changes in neurons and reducing the size of brain cells. Even small amounts of white wine can damage brain structure and negatively affect memory, increasing the odds of dementia.
Seniors with dementia often need assistance with everyday activities. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of homecare families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Thiamine Deficiency
Wine consumption could lead to a poor diet, putting someone at higher risk for developing dementia. Wine can decrease the absorption of thiamine, a vitamin that plays a critical role in metabolism and brain health. When thiamine is absorbed properly, the cells can produce the energy necessary for the mind and body to function correctly. Thiamine deficiency caused by alcohol consumption can lead to confusion, memory loss, muscle weakness, and circulation problems, which are some of the same symptoms associated with dementia. Avoiding white wine and other alcoholic beverages can prevent nutritional deficiencies and boost quality of life.
Seniors with dementia, no matter what the cause, can optimize their quality of life with the help of highly trained, experienced professional caregivers. If your senior loved one needs professional dementia care, Rocklin caregivers are available around the clock to provide the high-quality care he or she needs. Using the revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, dementia caregivers can help your loved one stay mentally engaged and delay the progression of the disease.
Red Wine
While it’s best to stop drinking alcohol altogether, consuming red wine—as opposed to white wine, beer, or liquor—could be beneficial to brain health if it’s consumed in moderation. Red wine contains antioxidants that lower oxidative stress and stave off neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia. The antioxidant resveratrol found in red grapes and berries is typically used to make red wine, and it can fight against free radicals in the brain. Combating these molecules allows the body and mind to function normally, which lowers the risk of dementia as well as other conditions, such as cancer and heart disease.
Moderate Consumption
Drinking more than one glass of wine a day may be harmful to women, and men should limit their wine intake to no more than two glasses per day. Small amounts of red wine can lead to healthier blood pressure levels and strengthen brain health, lowering the odds of developing dementia.
To avoid overdrinking, seniors need to look for healthier alternatives, such as water, green tea, and pomegranate juice. Some recipes call for wine, so in these instances, family caregivers should replace the wine with vinegar, cranberry juice, vegetable stock, or lemon juice.
If your loved one is living with dementia, having a trained professional caregiver close by can provide you and your family with much-needed peace of mind. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Rocklin families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Trust Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate, professional care for your loved one. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737.