Mixing alcohol and energy drinks impairs memory and learning: study
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Researchers from an Italian university have found that combining alcohol with energy drinks can lead to significant memory and learning impairments.
According to a study published in the journal Neuropharmacology and conducted on rats, this combination could have long-lasting detrimental effects on cognitive abilities.
The research involved feeding male rats with energy drinks, alcohol, or a combination of both over a period of up to 53 days. Subsequent behavioural tests and brain scans revealed persistent learning and memory issues in the rats that consumed the mixed beverages.
The hippocampus, the brain region responsible for these cognitive functions, showed notable alterations.
The study emphasizes the limited understanding of the long-term effects of consuming alcohol and energy drinks together, particularly during adolescence - a critical period for brain development. The researchers highlighted the potential risks to young people's brain health from this behaviour.
The findings suggest that mixing alcohol with energy drinks may negatively impact the plasticity of the hippocampus, hindering the brain's ability to adapt and learn. Initially, the rats exhibited a temporary boost in certain brain functions after consuming the mixed drinks, but this was followed by a decline over time.
"Our study shows that consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks during adolescence causes changes in the hippocampus at both electrical and molecular levels, which are associated with behavioural changes. These changes are evident during adolescence and persist into adulthood," the researchers explained.
While further research on humans is necessary to confirm these results, the study indicates significant health risks associated with energy drinks, particularly when combined with alcohol. Both substances are harmful individually, and their combined consumption is strongly discouraged.
The amount of drink given to the rats in the study was comparable to binge-drinking levels in young adults, a behaviour that is becoming increasingly common. The researchers call for more studies to explore the potential consequences of this behaviour in humans.