The Internet is full of mixed messages about alcohol and can be confusing.
The Good:
There have been many studies that have shown alcohol in moderation really does have health benefits. Specific studies that show it decreases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks by up to 40 percent, all types of strokes by 17 to 22 percent and age-related dementia over a lifetime.
Some alcohol can raise the HDL, or good cholesterol, preventing heart disease and stroke.
Small amounts of certain alcohol also has a beneficial effect on blood vessels throughout the body and other organs influenced by inflammation.
The Bad: (And Ugly)
Liver:
Liver diseases caused by alcohol consumption are collectively known as alcoholic liver diseases.
The first of these to appear is fatty liver, characterized by increased fat inside liver cells.
In heavy drinkers, binge drinking may cause your liver to become inflamed leading to a serious condition called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is irreversible. In advanced cirrhosis, a liver transplant may be the only option.
SUMMARY: Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, and frequent intake can lead to increased fat inside liver cells. Alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis, a very serious condition.
Brain:
Alcohol reduces communication between brain cells — a short-term effect responsible for many of the symptoms of being drunk.
Because your brain is very sensitive to damage, chronic alcohol abuse may increase your risk of dementia and cause brain shrinkage in middle-aged and older adults.
SUMMARY : While alcohol intoxication is only temporary, chronic alcohol abuse can impair brain function permanently. Severe alcohol-induced brain damage may impair people’s ability to lead an independent life.
Cancer:
Cancer is a serious disease caused by abnormal growth of cells. Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for cancers of the mouth, throat, colon, breast and liver. Even light alcohol consumption — up to one drink per day — is linked to a 20% increased risk of mouth and throat cancer.
Your risk increases the more you consume. 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.
SUMMARY: Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of certain cancers, especially mouth and throat cancer.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the effects of alcohol range from a positive impact on your wellbeing to a health catastrophe.
Drinking small amounts — especially of red wine — is linked to various health benefits.
On the other hand, alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are linked to severe negative effects on both physical and mental health.
If you enjoy alcohol and don’t binge, there is no compelling reason to avoid it. Just keep in mind that your health risk may increase — regardless of how much you are drinking.
However, if you tend to drink excessively or notice that alcohol causes problems in your life, you should avoid it as much as possible.
Because alcohol impact depends entirely on the individual, it’s good for some and disastrous for others.
