Top 7 Health Drawbacks of Alcohol

If you consume alcohol moderately, it can be good for your health. On the other hand, when you drink too much on a regular basis, alcohol turns to be addictive and toxic. The effects vary from person to another according to many factors such as the amount and type of alcohol and the person’s health. Here are the top 7 drawbacks of alcohol.

7. Liver Problems

The metabolizing of alcohol happens in the liver. When you consume alcohol frequently in large amounts, it increases the fats stored inside your hepatocytes (liver cells). Chronic alcohol abuse leads to liver cirrhosis, which may progress to complete liver failure. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

6. Impacts of Alcohol on Brain

Moderate alcohol drinking is recommended for older adults for improving their brain health including memory, thinking, and cognitive functions. However, chronic alcohol abuse can cause severe damages to the brain.  Notice that alcohol intoxication can be temporary but brain damages are permanent. (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)

5. Depression

Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to severe depression. Some people start drinking alcohol because they are depressed; they became more depressed when they drink too much. On the other hand, some people get depressed while drinking alcohol and can’t get rid of it because they are too depressed to act. It is a vicious circle. (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)

4. Obesity

Moderate alcohol consumption, especially wine consumption, is recommended for people who want to lose weight. However, drinking too much, especially beer, is linked to weight gain.
Notice that alcohol is very rich in calories. (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)

3. Impacts of Alcohol on Heart

Consuming alcohol moderately is very beneficial for heart health since it increases HDL, the good cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and anxiety, and prevents diabetes. However, too much alcohol consumption may increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks. (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)

2. Cancer

Chronic alcohol abuse is linked to many cancers, mouth, throat, colon, breast, and liver in particular. Mouth and throat cancers are more common than the rest of the cancers because they are the most vulnerable to alcohol harmful effects. (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)

1. Birth Defects

Consuming too much alcohol during pregnancy is one of the most common causes of birth defects, especially when you start early in pregnancy. It is not only about growth and development problems but also about behavior and intelligence. (50, 51)