If drunk in moderation, wine can stop mild mental impairment in the elderly degenerating into full-blown dementia, Italian researchers believe.
A glass a day cuts the risk of developing senile dementia by some 85%, according to a new study from Bari University, published in the prestigious journal Neurology.
Over two years, Vincenzo Solfrizzi and his colleague Francesco Panza looked at the drinking habits of some 120 individuals between the ages of 65 and 84 with mild cognitive impairment.
Cognitive impairment, which causes fuzzy thinking and memory loss, is believed to be a transitional phase towards Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia.
"On one drink a day, only 3% of the impaired thinkers went on to develop these serious neurodegenerative illnesses," Solfrizzi told ANSA.
"By contrast, 18% of the non-drinkers in the group went from mild cognitive impairment to dementia".
"We think the anti-oxidants in wine, which have already proven effective against cardiovascular problems, can also offer protection against cerebro-vascular illnesses," Solfrizzi said.
The Bari researchers have led the field in revealing the beneficial effects of diet in warding off brain diseases in the elderly.
In two previous studies they have shown that the Mediterranean diet, with its high level of anti-oxidants and low level of harmful fats, provides protection against a range of diseases including Alzheimer's.
