The Negative Effects of Alcohol
Excessive drinking is responsible for more than three million deaths per year, reports World Health Organization
(WHO). Furthermore, it's a major contributing factor to approximately
200 diseases and injuries. Heavy drinkers are more likely to develop
cardiovascular problems, engage in self-destructive behaviors and commit
suicide.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol consumption
carries short- and long-term health risks. These include but are not
limited to:
- Car accidents
- Violent behavior
- Risky sexual behavior
- Pregnancy complications
- Anxiety and depression
- Social problems
- Heart disease
- Cancer
Heavy drinking
has a direct impact on mental health. While alcohol may temporarily
relieve depression, it actually makes things worse in the long run. In
fact, there is a mutual relationship between depression and alcohol abuse.
Individuals
living with this mental disorder are more likely to drink, which in
turn, may worsen their symptoms. Sometimes, alcohol use fuels the
negative emotions that eventually lead to depression.
Potential Benefits of Drinking
Surprisingly, moderate drinking has the opposite effect. A September 2016 review published in the American Journal of Public Health
found that women who have up to one drink per day are less likely to
experience cognitive decline. They also face a lower risk of sudden
cardiac death, hypertension, stroke and all-cause mortality compared to
those drinking more than one serving of alcohol daily.
The
downside that is alcoholic beverages — even when consumed in moderation
— may increase breast cancer risk and contribute to bone fractures.
Moderate alcohol
intake may also protect against cardiovascular problems, the
researchers note. In several studies from the above review, the risk of
coronary heart disease was lower in women with diabetes who consumed up
to 4.9 grams of alcohol per day. Furthermore, those who drank less than
15 grams per day scored higher on cognitive tests than those who didn't
drink at all.
According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
alcohol can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. If
you're a woman, stick to one drink per day. Men, on the other hand, can
have up to two daily servings of alcohol. A serving of wine, for
example, is one glass (5 ounces).
As
you see, alcohol is a double-edged sword. The benefits of drinking are
subject to debate, though. Some experts say that moderate alcohol use
may increase lifespan, protect against heart disease and reduce diabetes
risk. Others claim that no amount of alcohol is safe.
Feeling confused? Here are five surprising benefits of alcohol you might not be aware of.
1. Wine May Promote Fat Loss
Whether
you're heading out to a party or spending a cozy evening at home, reach
out for a glass of wine rather than soda. With just 125 calories and
3.8 grams of carbs per glass, red wine fits into most diets. One can of
cola, by comparison, boasts 155 calories and 38 grams of carbs,
including 15 grams of sugar, according to the USDA.
Wine might even help you keep the pounds off. A large-scale study published in the International Journal of Obesity
in June 2012 suggests that moderate drinking may lower the risk of
becoming overweight or obese. Wine consumption appears to be
particularly beneficial. The above effects were observed in
postmenopausal women.
This beverage is
a good source of polyphenols, which may contribute to weight loss,
according to a study featured in the journal Nutrients
in May 2017. Higher polyphenol intakes may help reduce body weight,
body mass index, waist circumference and obesity rates over time.
Furthermore, their slimming effect appears to be higher in women.
These antioxidants also occur naturally in tea, fruits, vegetables and coffee, so wine isn't your only option.
2. Alcohol Could Prevent Gallstones Naturally
Moderate
alcohol consumption may also protect against gallstones, as reported in
the American Journal of Public Health review. This condition affects
about 10 to 15 percent of Americans, reports the National Institutes of Health.
That's about 25 million people. Women, seniors, Mexican Americans and
individuals with a family history of gallstones are at greater risk.
According to the
above review, moderate drinking may reduce stone formation and increase
gallbladder motility. The consumption of as little as 15 grams of
alcohol per day was linked to a 14-percent lower risk of gallstones.
A meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
in April 2017 confirms these findings. Each 10-gram per day increase in
alcohol intake was associated with a 12 percent decrease in gallstone
disease risk.
Again,
moderation is the key. As the National Health Service of the United
Kingdom points out, drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week may
affect the liver and overall health. One unit
is 10 milligrams of pure alcohol. A small glass of wine, for example,
has 1.5 units of alcohol. Beer, on the other hand, boasts 2 units of
alcohol per can.
3. Alcohol May Protect Against Dementia
Drinking in moderation may reduce your odds of developing dementia. This neurodegenerative disease
affects memory, reasoning, coordination, cognition and social skills.
If left unaddressed, it may lead to depression, anxiety, paranoia and
other mental disorders. Some forms of the disease, such as Alzheimer's
and vascular dementia, are not reversible.
Heavy drinking is a contributing factor to this disease, according to a January 2019 review featured in Alzheimer's Research & Therapy. When consumed in excess, alcohol may alter the brain structure and lead to cognitive impairment.
Light to
moderate drinking among adults, on the other hand, may protect against
dementia and cognitive decline. The current evidence is conflicting,
though.
Another study published in the BMJ
in June 2017 states that light drinking has no advantages over
abstinence. Furthermore, the risk of right-sided hippocampal atrophy is
three times higher in adults who drink moderately. Hippocampal atrophy
may lead to Alzheimer's disease and impaired memory function.
As the Alzheimer's Society
points out, alcohol may have protective effects on the brain. However,
many studies may not be accurate because they've been conducted on both
former drinkers and lifetime non-drinkers. Former alcoholics, for
example, may have already experienced brain damage to some degree.
Therefore, they cannot be placed in the same category as those who never
drank.
4. Alcohol May Keep Diabetes at Bay
More
than 30 million Americans
were struggling with diabetes in 2015, with about 1.5 million new cases
diagnosed every year. Those suffering from this disease are two to
three times more likely to have a stroke or a heart attack, warns the
World Health Organization. They are also at risk for nerve damage,
blindness, kidney failure and circulatory problems.
This may come as a surprise, but moderate drinking might help lower your risk of diabetes, as noted in the American Journal of Public Health
review. Women who consume one to two drinks per day have 40 percent
fewer chances of developing this disease compared to non-drinkers. The
consumption of 15 grams of alcohol per day may help increase insulin
sensitivity and prevent diabetes.
A 12-year follow-up study published in Scientific Reports
in August 2017 had similar findings. As the researchers note, drinking
more than 30 grams of alcohol per day may increase diabetes risk. Light
and moderate alcohol intakes, on the other hand, may have protective
effects.
The relationship
between diabetes and alcohol consumption is complex, so take these
findings with a grain of salt. If you suffer from this disorder, ask
your doctor whether or not you can have an occasional drink.
5. Moderate Drinking Improves Blood Lipids
High
cholesterol is a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease.
However, not all cholesterol is the same. Non-high-density lipoproteins,
or LDL cholesterol, builds up inside your arteries and affects
cardiovascular health. High-density lipoproteins, or HDL, is known as
the "good" cholesterol as it helps your body get rid of LDL.
In April 2017, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
published a review assessing the effects of alcohol on blood
cholesterol. Researchers found that moderate drinking led to slower
decreases in HDL cholesterol levels, depending on the type of beverage
consumed.
Wine, beer and
liquor had the greatest effect on HDL concentrations. Beer appears to be
particularly beneficial, as it may help protect against heart disease.
Another research paper, published in the July 2012 edition of the journal Nutrients,
suggests that wine and beer may improve cardiovascular health. These
beverages are rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants with
anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and hypotensive properties. When consumed
in moderation, they may lower the risk of cardiovascular problems and
even cancer.
Now
that you
know more about the pros and cons of alcohol consumption, it's up to you
to decide whether or not your drinking habit is healthy. A glass of
beer or red wine is likely safe — just make sure you don't go overboard.
Ask your doctor about it, especially if you take medications. Alcohol
may interact with certain drugs, including antidepressants, statins, ACE
inhibitors, antacids and pain relievers.
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