Chronic alcohol abuse can have catastrophic health effects, impacting your entire body and causing a range of health problems. More than four drinks daily appear to cause a fivefold increase in your risk of mouth and throat cancer, as well as an increase in your risk of breast, colon and liver cancer (58, 59, 61, 62). Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce symptoms of type 2 diabetes by enhancing the uptake of blood sugar by your cells.
- While medications and other treatment methods can help manage the effects of pancreatitis, it is very difficult to reverse the condition.
- Red wine appears to be particularly beneficial because it is very high in healthy antioxidants.
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has information on how alcohol impacts your health.
- The first change, which can happen within hours of quitting, is a decrease in heart rate, says Humberto Choi, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Over recent months, increased attention has been devoted to disease burdens attributable to alcohol use worldwide. As more and more studies are conducted to illuminate the harmful effects of alcohol on different body systems, the mounting evidence generated requires documentation https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and publication. The current review was aimed at providing an overview of the recent literature on the adverse consequences of alcohol consumption. On the other hand, alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are linked to severe negative effects on both physical and mental health.
Alcohol’s health effects: What you need to know
Alcohol is a factor in 40% of fatal motor vehicle crashes, fatal falls, and suicides; 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults; and 60% of fatal burn injuries, homicides, and drownings. Depending on the type of alcoholic drink and how much is in your glass, the total amount of alcohol consumed may vary. Different types of drinks (wine, beer, liquor) have a variety of alcoholic measurements. Whether you’re a light, moderate, or heavy drinker, alcohol can reduce bone mass. Alcohol use can damage the hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for memory and learning.
Not only can drinking cause temporary complications such as memory loss and coordination, it can also lead to long-term side effects that are sometimes irreversible. If you or a loved one is experiencing the effects of alcohol, it’s time to get help. Contact a treatment provider to discuss available alcohol rehab facilities. Alcohol seldom leaves any system untouched as far as leaving its impression is concerned, spanning from single tissue involvement to complex organ system manifestations.
How Does Alcohol Influence Your Physical Health?
For more information about alcohol’s effects on the body, please visit the Interactive Body feature on NIAAA’s College Drinking Prevention website. For more information about alcohol and cancer, please visit the National Cancer Institute’s webpage “Alcohol and Cancer Risk” (last accessed effects of alcohol on the body October 21, 2021). Seizures, hallucinations, and delirium may occur in severe cases of withdrawal. It’s always best to connect with your doctor before quitting alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol over time may cause inflammation of the pancreas, resulting in pancreatitis.
- This information is based on the assumption that you have a normal tolerance to alcohol.
- Conversely, drinking moderately has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia — especially in older adults (16, 17, 18).
- “Quitting alcohol allows the liver to regenerate and repair, promoting overall liver health.”
- This is because the majority of the calories entering your body will come from food as opposed to alcohol, thus increasing your vitamin intake.