Heavy alcohol consumption is considered to be an important risk factor for different diseases, disability, and mortality. Your liver is a vital organ, and abstaining from alcohol can improve your health and life expectancy. If you already have decreased liver function or a chronic liver disease, I urge you to avoid alcohol at all cost. Acetaldehyde can cause inflammatory changes in the liver.Ĭhronic inflammation in the liver from alcohol abuse can lead to the following health problems: Your liver metabolizes 90% of alcohol, breaking it down into the toxic enzyme acetaldehyde. Once alcohol and all of its carcinogenic toxins are absorbed through your digestive tract via the stomach or small intestines it heads straight to the liver. One of the most important jobs your liver has is to filter your blood of toxic substances. Your liver is your body’s filtration system. Gut health is important to your overall health, and alcohol can have negative effects on your “second brain.” Since almost 70% of your immune system is found in your gut, having an unhealthy gut can hinder your immune response. The inflammatory effects of alcohol on your gut barrier can potentially trigger gut issues such as leaky gut syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome. Malabsorption of food promotes nutritional deficiencies in heavy drinkers. Inflammation of the villi in your small intestines from alcohol has been shown to inhibit nutrient absorption.
Due to this inflammation and alcohol metabolites and toxins, this can eventually lead to small intestine cancer or colorectal cancer. Intestines – Since alcohol is an irritant it can lead to inflammation of the small intestines and colon.Gastric cancer has also been strongly associated with excessive amounts of alcohol. Excessive consumption of alcohol has been shown to cause a dysfunction in your lower esophageal sphincter allowing stomach contents to back flow into your esophagus. Since alcohol is an irritant it can promote inflammation in the lining of your stomach which can cause gastritis.Īcid reflux is caused by an abnormal relaxation of your lower esophageal sphincter. Studies show increased alcohol consumption and cigarette smoke are major contributing factors in developing peptic ulcers.Īlcoholic gastritis is most associated with hard liquors such as gin, whiskey, and vodka. Stomach – Although studies show that alcohol consumption alone doesn’t produce peptic ulcers, they can be a serious risk factor.
This risk factor increases depending on the alcoholic beverages content of ethanol.
But too much of a good thing can eventually turn into a bad thing. As you take the first sip of your drink, you think, “It’s all about the small things in life!”Īn alcoholic beverage is definitely nice for relaxation and social events. A long day after work or a day filled with screaming kids – all you can think about is pouring a glass of wine or popping open a nice cold beer.