Those who consume even a few alcoholic drinks a week have smaller brains, research finds

New research has found a correlation between even modest levels of alcohol consumption and reduced brain size.

Led by the University of Pennsylvania, the study of more than 36,000 adults associated reduced grey and white matter in the brain to drinking even a few beers or glasses of wine a week.

The research shows for 50-year-olds, going from one alcohol unit or about half a beer a day to two units, such as a pint of beer or glass of wine, was the equivalent of aging two years.

Meanwhile, going from two to three alcohol units at the same age was similar to aging 3.5 years.

The researchers say the findings contrast with guidelines on safe drinking limits, including recommendations that women consume no more than one drink per day on average, or double that for men.