A small glass of wine a day could keep dementia at bay, at least for women

Drinking a small glass of wine a day could delay the onset of dementia in women, according to a new study.

Dementia is a degenerative condition that affects memory, attention, language and problem solving

For the study, researchers at the University of Glasgow analysed the performance of more than 5,800 people aged from 70 to 82 in a range of memory and language tests.

The results among male participants were similar, but women who consumed between one and seven units of alcohol a week performed significantly better than those who rarely drank or were teetotal.

The researchers concluded that drinking a small amount might delay cognitive decline and the onset of dementia.

"We were interested in exploring the effects of alcohol on memory, thinking and cognition," the Telegraph quoted David Stott, professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Glasgow, as saying.

"We found that modest amounts of alcohol in women seem to be associated with a delay in cognitive decline, such as speed of thought and how you use language and words. If these become serious, they can be signs of dementia.

"This is not an endorsement to drink to excess - large amounts of alcohol will damage your brain - but the occasional tipple may do you some good," he added.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.(ANI)