Enjoying a pint is something that a large proportion of the global population engages in from time to time at the very least, but one scientist has revealed that there's actually a point in your life where you should cut out beer as it'll do something far worse than give you a larger belly.
In the grand scheme of vices, having a beer every now and then is relatively low on the list. Of course, it can go to the extreme for some where it really becomes a problem, but popping down to the pub or cracking open a cold one at home is something that plenty of healthy people do on the regular.
However, you might be shocked to find out that even the occasional beer should probably be cut out of your lifestyle once you reach a certain age, as an expert neurologist has shared his estimation of what it'll do to your body and health in the twilight years.
As reported by LADbible, neurologist Dr Richard Restak has revealed a key piece of advice in his 2021 book 'The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind', pointing towards beer and other alcoholic beverages as something that can negatively affect your brain as you age.
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"Alcohol is a very, very weak neurotoxin," Dr Restak reveals, illustrating that "it's not good for nerve cells."
He urges that "it is essential to abstain from alcohol at a stage in life where preserving neurons is crucial," as from the age of 65 these start to dwindle away naturally.
In an 'ideal' world, Dr Restak would have everyone slow down their alcohol intake from the age of 65, and by the time the clock strikes 12 on their 70th birthday they would have completely cut beer out of their life.
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Part of this is also due to the established link between excess alcohol consumption and an increased risk of developing dementia, and while you can engage in gross habits and increase your daily step count to counteract this, it's best to prevent any damage from taking place full stop.
It might understandably be difficult for someone who has been a pint-lover their entire life to finally give it up just as they reach retirement age – a time when they'd perhaps enjoy relaxing with a beer the most – but it's at this point when your body is most susceptive to the dangers of alcohol and therefore it's best to stay away.
"I strongly suggest that if you are 65-years-old or older, you completely and permanently eliminate alcohol from your diet," Dr Restak urges, so it's up to you whether it's a worthwhile sacrifice to make.