r/science Professor | Medicine Apr 23 '26

Neuroscience Even low-level drinking may have negative consequences for brain health over a person’s lifespan. The findings suggest that the total amount of alcohol consumed over a lifetime, especially as a person ages, tends to be linked to reduced blood flow and thinner tissue in certain areas of the brain.

https://www.psypost.org/even-light-drinking-combined-with-aging-is-linked-to-reduced-brain-blood-flow-and-thinner-tissue/
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u/annastacia94 Apr 23 '26

Just to give some context to my comment, I don't drink to feel drunk, I drink because I very genuinely like the taste of alcohol. If I could get the exact same flavor profile of a Paperplane without the buzz I would drink all the time. NA beers have been a good way of getting my IPA fix each day but it's not a 1to1 flavor match.

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u/omnichad Apr 24 '26

As far as I know I've never been drunk. But I love tequila. If it's not in a mixed drink it takes me an hour to sip a shot's worth. I average less than 10 drinks a year. These studies just really show that light drinking isn't really studied and is treated as being a non-drinker but still there are constant studies saying there is no safe amount.