019 - Your Body on Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can affect nearly every system in the body, with effects ranging from short-term impairment to long-term damage.

  • Brain Function and Coordination: Alcohol reduces activity in the brain's prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for decision-making and impulse control. This leads to impaired judgment and slowed reflexes. The cerebellum, which governs balance and motor skills, is also affected, increasing the risk of accidents​. NIAAA SCIENCEBLOG.COM

  • Digestive Upset: Even small amounts of alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, causing nausea or vomiting. Alcohol also interferes with the production of digestive enzymes, slowing nutrient absorption​ SCIENCEBLOG.COM WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

  • Heart Health: Beyond the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), chronic alcohol consumption increases cholesterol buildup in arteries, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes. While some studies have suggested that red wine might offer heart benefits due to antioxidants like resveratrol, the risks often outweigh these potential advantages​ SCIENCEBLOG.COM. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

  • Liver Damage: Prolonged alcohol use overloads the liver, causing conditions such as alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The liver struggles to process high levels of alcohol, leading to fat buildup and scarring​. NIAAA

  • Cancer Risk: Alcohol's classification as a Group 1 carcinogen is due to its ability to damage DNA and hinder its repair. Even moderate drinking has been linked to higher rates of breast, liver, and gastrointestinal cancers​. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

  • Alcohol and Sleep: While alcohol may initially make you feel sleepy, it disrupts the REM stage of sleep, leading to poorer rest and fatigue the next day​ SCIENCEBLOG.COM

  • Social Drinking and "Safe" Levels: Recent research challenges the notion of safe drinking levels, showing that even light to moderate alcohol use increases health risks, especially in women and older adults​. SCIENCEBLOG.COM WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

  • Mental Health Impacts: Chronic use can exacerbate anxiety and depression, creating a vicious cycle where individuals self-medicate with alcohol, worsening their conditions​ - NIAAA

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CONCLUSION
Alcohol’s effects extend far beyond the short-lived buzz, impacting physical and mental health at every level. Awareness of these effects can help make more informed choices about drinking. As the World Health Organization emphasizes, "No level of alcohol consumption is safe."​


Sources :

  • National Geographic, June 2024.

  • American Heart Association, July 2024.

  • WHO Feature Story, January 2023.

  • Mayo Clinic, August 2024.

  • Johns Hopkins Medicine, April 2024.

 
 
Mary May2024 post