A new study found that alcohol consumption always causes brain damage, according to CNN.
The University of Oxford study found that with more drinking comes a reduction of the gray matter within the human brain, CNN reported Thursday. Oxford senior clinical researcher Anya Topiwala told CNN via email that gray matter includes the area of the brain “where information is processed” and stated that “the more people drank, the less the volume of their gray matter.”
The study, though only observational and not peer-revied, examined both brain scans and self-reported alcohol consumption of 25,000 UK residents, according to CNN. It also found that the type of alcohol did not affect the results.
How much alcohol is fine for the brain? According to Oxford study, no amount is safe https://t.co/fyApuuLNSg
— The Independent (@Independent) May 19, 2021
Topiwala told CNN that many people believe that occasional alcohol consumption “is either harmless or even protective.” She also argued that lacking a “‘cure’ for neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, knowing about factors that can prevent brain harm is important for public health,” according to the outlet. (RELATED: To-Go Alcohol Permanently Approved For Sale In Texas)
Amid the pandemic, alcohol-related illness has spiked and hard alcohol sales have been up 33%. Meanwhile, one study found that more young Americans are avoiding alcohol consumption.