Just one small glass of wine each day could lead to the onset of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, new research warns.⁠ Specifically, researchers from the University of Oxford say consuming just seven units of alcohol a week – half the recommended maximum – fuels iron accumulation in the brain. They add that alcohol suppresses a hormone that controls the body’s absorption of the mineral, causing poorer brain performance.⁠ ⁠ _____⁠ ⁠ “In the largest study to date, we found drinking greater than 7 units of alcohol weekly associated with iron accumulation in the brain. Higher brain iron, in turn, is linked to poorer cognitive performance. Iron accumulation could underlie alcohol-related cognitive decline,” says lead author Dr. Anya Topiwala from the University of Oxford in a media release.⁠ ⁠ Dementia patients have been found to have higher levels of iron in some regions, including deep grey matter. The same pattern has been found in people with Parkinson’s — another brain disorder that...