Effects of different levels of alcohol consumption on cognitive function in older adults: A cross-sectional study using 2011 to 2014 NHANES data

Older adults (≥60 years) are at high risk for cognitive impairment, yet the impact of varying levels of alcohol consumption on cognitive function in this population remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effect of alcohol consumption on cognitive function among older adults in the United States. Researchers obtained data from 3632 participants aged 60 years and older from the 2011 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Alcohol consumption was assessed using a questionnaire, while cognitive function was evaluated using the Word Learning and Recall module from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer Disease, the Animal Fluency Test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. The relationship between alcohol consumption and cognitive function was analyzed using weighted multivariable linear regression and stratified analysis based on key covariates. Fully adjusted Model 3 indicated that, compared to nondrinkers, light drinkers had an increase in cognitive function scores by 0.44 (β = 0.44, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.20-0.67; P < .001), while moderate and heavy drinkers experienced a decline in cognitive function scores by 0.62 (β = -0.62, 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.34; P < .001) and 0.97 (β = -0.97, 95% CI: -1.23 to -0.62; P < .001), respectively. Stratified analysis revealed that heavy drinking had a more detrimental effect on cognition among individuals aged 70 and older, women, those with less than a high school education, and those with diabetes, hypertension, or a history of stroke. In older adults (≥60 years) in the United States, heavy alcohol consumption is associated with a decline in cognitive scores, particularly among those aged 70 and older, women, individuals with less than a high school education, and those with diabetes, hypertension, or a history of stroke.