Dementia experts calling for over 65s to go dry

Studies show that after this age booze could do lasting damage to the brain and the body

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Dementia specialists are warning that beyond a certain age, alcohol may be doing more damage than good - and cutting it out altogether could help preserve memory and independence.

For decades, a nightly glass of wine or the occasional pint has been seen as a harmless ritual. Some even believed that moderate drinking brought health benefits.

But is that really the case? A growing number of dementia specialists believe the negatives are far outweighing the positives once you're into your 60s.

Dementia expert Dr Helen Moore, who has spent more than 20 years researching how lifestyle choices affect dementia risk, says alcohol interacts with the ageing body in ways that can seriously compromise brain health.

"Our bodies process alcohol more slowly as we get older," she explains.