What effects does alcohol have on our body? This article tells you~

Most people who drink are familiar with the short-term effects of alcohol intoxication. According to "Alcohol: Science, Policy, and Public Health" (Oxford University Press, 2013), a sense of mild euphoria and relaxation is one of the main reasons humans have produced and consumed alcohol for thousands of years.

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Likewise, most people know that excessive and chronic drinking can have serious effects on their physical and mental health. But the effects will depend on how much you drink and how often you drink.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, moderate drinking is limited to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women (CDC). A drink is the equivalent of 0.6 ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol. This amount can be found in a bottle of beer (5% alcohol by volume), a small glass of wine (12% alcohol by volume), or a shot of distilled spirits (40% alcohol by volume).

According to the CDC, heavy drinking is defined as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men. This is different from binge drinking, which the CDC defines as five or more drinks in one sitting for men and four or more drinks in one sitting for women.

What are the short-term effects of alcohol? The short-term effects of drinking alcohol often include a state of mild euphoria and relaxation caused by temporary changes in brain signaling. Alcohol interferes with neurotransmitters, chemicals that help carry messages between neurons in the brain, leading to changes in mood, behavior, and thinking.

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Short-term effects of moderate drinking can range from flushing of the skin and difficulty concentrating to more severe symptoms such as vomiting and passing out. Other effects of short-term drinking include loss of coordination, mood swings, increased blood pressure, dulled vision and reduced inhibitions.

Then there are the effects of alcohol withdrawal, commonly known as a hangover. Hangover symptoms usually begin within a few hours after a person's last drink and tend to vary from person to person. These symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dehydration.

Alcohol inhibits the body's production of vasopressin, a hormone that tells the body to retain water in the kidneys. Without this, water goes straight into the bladder and dehydrates the body. Headaches are the brain's response to this loss of fluid, while nausea and lack of energy are the body's response to low blood sugar levels and the loss of minerals and electrolytes that help the body function properly.

The more a person drinks, the more likely they are to feel these effects, and it may take a person longer to recover.

Hangover symptoms tend to disappear within 24 hours after a person's last drink and do not cause lasting health problems.

What are the long-term effects of drinking? Long-term drinking affects many aspects of physical and mental health. The main areas affected include the brain, digestive system, cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal system.

brain

There is a lot of scientific evidence that alcohol affects the normal functioning of the brain, namely the levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain).

You may notice that alcohol can cause dramatic mood swings. This is because alcohol interacts with GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and anxiety.

Alcohol also acts as a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows down communication between the brain and the body. This can lead to impaired coordination, slurred speech, slowed reaction times, and fainting. Heavy drinking can also lead to other problems, such as sleep disturbances. Long-term drinking may even cause changes in the structure of the brain. This damage can lead to problems with memory, learning, and coordination, as well as increased anxiety [disorders] and depression.

Many of the changes in the brain occur at the molecular level. According to a 2021 review published in the journal Trends in Neurosciences, excessive drinking disrupts gene expression in neurons, the process by which brain cells develop and connect to each other. These adaptations may be key factors in the development of alcohol use disorder, the researchers said.

Heart

Long-term drinking can also have an impact on cardiovascular health. According to a 2016 review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, even small amounts of alcohol can predispose a person to atrial fibrillation — a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats, dizziness and shortness of breath.

How drinking affects heart health may depend on the amount consumed, but the evidence is far from conclusive. According to a 2021 review published in the journal Nutrients, some studies suggest that low-to-moderate drinking may actually reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, however, this is not well understood. A 2017 review published in the journal Studies on Alcohol suggested that low-to-moderate drinking may indirectly reduce atherosclerosis — the buildup of fatty plaque in and on artery walls — and inflammation, and mitigate the effects of psychological stress on the cardiovascular system.

Certain compounds found in alcoholic beverages may also play a role. For example, polyphenols found in red wine may protect against atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and heart failure, a 2016 review published in the journal Nutrients reported.

Digestive Health

Excessive drinking can lead to liver damage and alcohol-related liver disease, according to a 2021 review published in the journal Alcohol Studies. Alcohol can also affect other parts of the digestive system. A 2014 review in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that drinking more than five drinks a day can damage the pancreas, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Chronic alcohol consumption may also contribute to poor gut health. According to a 2021 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, excessive drinking may cause changes in the gut microbiome, reducing microbial diversity and leading to overgrowth of bacteria that promote inflammation, such as Proteus. These changes may lead to intestinal inflammation and leaky gut—a condition in which the intestinal lining becomes porous, allowing toxins and harmful pathogens to enter the bloodstream.

These changes can be detrimental to our overall health. One of the most important functions of the gut microbiome is to ferment dietary fiber and produce anti-inflammatory molecules called short-chain fatty acids [SCFAs], which are essential for our immune health, mental health, and for reversing and preventing chronic diseases including diabetes and cancer. Reducing alcohol consumption can help ensure that the microbiome is able to produce enough of these important molecules.

Immunity

Long-term drinking may also affect the immune system. According to a 2015 review published in the journal Alcohol Studies, long-term heavy drinking may lead to a significant drop in the number of white blood cells responsible for fighting infection and preventing cancer.

Source: Chongqing Tianji Network Co., Ltd.

Source: Live Science "What does alcohol do to the body?"

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