One alcoholic drink per day improves cognitive function among older women

70652986 — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 06:19:51 -0400

According to the study's senior author, BWH's Francine Grodstein, Sc.D., "Much evidence has demonstrated the heart benefits of light alcohol drinking, but less research has focused on cognitive functioning. While we all continue to recommend exercising caution when consuming any type of alcohol, our study suggests that moderate consumption might provide older women some cognitive benefits."

Researchers reviewed data from 12,480 women, 70 to 81 years old, who participated in the Nurses' Health Study. They first collected alcohol consumption data as part of food-frequency questionnaires issued every few years between 1980 and 1998. Alcohol intake was measured in grams of beer, wine and liquor, with moderate consumption - one glass per day - defined as less than 15 grams per day. Then, from 1995-2002, women participated in telephone-based cognitive surveys in which general cognition and verbal memory and fluency were evaluated. Women who consumed less than 15 grams of alcohol per day - moderate drinkers - had better mean cognitive scores than nondrinkers. Researchers also found no significant difference in cognitive functioning among the nondrinkers and those who consumed more than one drink per day. Also, there did not seem to be any substantial difference in the effects of different forms of alcoholic beverages.

"Given our large study population, this body of research is now powerful enough to suggest continued research to ultimately better understand the impact moderate alcohol has on cognitive function," said HSPH's Meir Stampfer, M.D.

Walking improves cognitive functions in older women

70652986 — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:35:24 -0400

In a study, elderly women who engaged in the most activity -- for example, walking at least 6 hours per week -- had a 20 percent decrease in risk of cognitive impairment compared to those who were inactive. they also demonstrated the cognitive functioning of someone three-years younger than their actual age. The findings were published in the Sept. 22, 2004, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. “Walking is a popular, accessible and inexpensive activity for older adults that appears to provide many health benefits. In addition to studies showing a reduced risk of heart disease, pulmonary disease and diabetes, a moderate level of walking also appeared to reduce the rate of cognitive decline in our study,” said lead author Jennifer Weuve of the Harvard School of Public Health. “What is most striking is that for older women who are able to engage in several hours per week of physical activity, their cognitive function seemed to be comparable to that of a woman several years younger.” Researchers analyzed the data from 18,766 U.S. women, aged 70 to 81 years, from the Nurses' Health Study.

all Francine "Fran" Grodstein stories

One alcoholic drink per day improves cognitive function among older women

Walking improves cognitive functions in older women