The UK-based researchers believe their study will have far-reaching implications for the public.
A 30-year study has found that even moderate use of alcohol can have a negative effect on people's brain health.
The study looked at 550 men and women, none of whom were addicted to alcohol, who were all around 43 years of age.
Even after taking lifestyle and other factors into account like sex, age, education, social class, physical and social activity, smoking, stroke risk and medical history, the study -
published by The British Medical Journal - found a link between those with a higher consumption of alcohol and declining brain health.
Memory and spatial navigation were particularly affected, even in those who drank only light or moderate amounts, with a reduction in cognitive function and language skills.
"While alcohol-related brain damage generally afflicts malnourished drinkers consuming very high levels of alcohol, some degree of potentially reversible cognitive impairment is detectable in most people starting treatment for alcohol dependence," claimed the report by researchers from the University of Oxford and University College London.
"Alcohol can be the primary cause of cognitive impairment in some individuals, but it is a likely contributor to cognitive decline in many more."
Researchers have qualified their research by revealing there may be some biased elements to it, but insist that there are strengths to the data that could improve public health.
