"Drink to me only with thine eyes" is the first line in a 17th century poem by Ben Jonson. And it turns out he might have been on to something.

A study in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine that looked at data on more than half a million people ages 56 to 72 reveals that while light alcohol consumption is associated with a low risk for dementia, there's no evidence that any level of alcohol is ever good for the brain. In fact, it’s always associated with some increased risk of dementia. (And the more you drink, the greater the risk.)

Why is alcohol harmful to brain health?

It probably comes from a combination of influences, including potential liver damage (half of the liver disease deaths in the U.S. are alcohol-related), disruption of the gut biome, inflammation of the blood vessels, damage to brain neurons, and interference with the brain's communication pathways.

The best idea is to save your indulgences for a toast at special occasions. Instead, enjoy nonalcoholic mocktails (go easy on sugary ones), beers, and wines now on the market.

And if you do drink more than that, limit it to one to two drinks a day, four days a week — always with food and never in a nonsocial situation.

If you find you can’t reduce or stop alcohol consumption, get help.

For help adjusting to signs of dementia, the Alzheimer's Association offers Early-Stage programs.

LifespanEdge.com offers therapeutic plasma exchange, which has been shown in randomized studies to reverse cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's.