ALCOHOL KEEPS THE BRAIN SHARP. . . AND YOUR SEX DRIVE
IT’S NO secret that too much alcohol can cause a variety of health problems. However, a new study shows that light consumption of alcohol in older age is associated with better memory among people age 6O and up. Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, University of Kentucky, and University of Maryland found that light to moderate amounts of alcohol consumption was associated with better performance on tests of episodic memory among people in this age group. The study, detailed in the american journal of alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, analyzed data such as drinking habits, medical histories and genetic disease risks from more than 66O patients in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort. These patients also completed a battery of cognitive and memory tests.
Researchers also found that having just one or two alcoholic drinks per day was associated with a larger hippocampus, the part of the brain that’s key to episodic memory – or the ability to recall details of specific events. Previous studies involving animals showed that moderate alcohol consumption can help preserve the hippocampus by promoting new cell growth in the part of the brain vital to memory skills and the nervous system. “Adults who are able to continue consuming alcohol into old age are healthier, and, therefore, have higher cognition and larger regional brain volumes, than people who had to decrease their alcohol consumption due to unfavorable health outcomes,” said lead study author Brian Downer from the University of Texas. It’s important to note that researchers only found an association between light to moderate alcohol consumption in older age and memory performance; the study does not establish a causal link between the two. Although the potential benefits to cognitive learning and memory later in life have been consistently reported, extended periods of alcohol abuse is known to be harmful to the brain and overall health. Indeed a recent study conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School found older adults with a history of problem drinking in midlife to be more than twice as likely to have severe cognitive and memory impairment than those who don’t. Still another study published in 2O14 by the University College London found men who are moderate or heavy alcohol drinkers can show signs of cognitive impairment up to six years faster than those who drink lightly or abstain altogether.
IF YOU’VE ever felt a little more amorous after drinking wine, well it wasn’t just lowered inhibitions. Turns out there’s an actual connection between small amounts of wine consumption and an increased libido. It will also make you hungry and feel flushed. This is because ethanol stimulates a primitive part of the brain called the hypothalamus which is located right above the brain stem. It regulates basic human functions including body temperature, hunger, hormone levels, parental attachment behavior and, of course, one’s sex drive.
An Italian research group ran a study that showed a correlation of drinking wine – specifically red – to an increase in the sexual appetite of women. The study queried 8OO Italian women who drank red wine, other alcohol or no alcohol at all. The red wine drinkers scored 2 points higher than other alcohol drinkers and 4 more points than teetotalers. Overall, the study isn’t enough to support wine and sex drive but it did inspire more research, particularly with regard to aromas. Several studies have been conducted over the last decade attempting to identify what smells activate the sex drives in women and men. While this science is still very new and quite complex, it’s been suggested that many of the aromas found in wine are the same aromas that turn people on. As with everything regarding the two sexes, men are aroused by different smells than women. Women tend to get turned on by musky, earthy, woody, licorice-y, and cherry-like aromas. Although there is no concrete proof, these flavor descriptions are similar to words used to describe Nebbiolo, Barbera, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and rustic Pinot Noir. For men the aromas are completely different and include lavender, caramel, butter, orange, licorice, baking spice and vanilla. Many of these smells are commonly found in fine Champagne, Moscato, Dry Sherry, Tawny Port, Vin Santo, Grenache, Syrah and even Rose wines. Whether or not this is hard fact, it certainly is cause to spend a little more time appreciating the aromas in that glass of wine!
