Long-term effects of alcohol

The long-term effects of alcohol have been extensively researched. The health effects of long-term alcohol consumption on health vary depending on the amount consumed. Even light drinking poses health risks,[1] but atypically small amounts of alcohol may have health benefits.[2] Alcoholism causes severe health consequences which outweigh any potential benefits.[3]

Long-term alcohol consumption is capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body.[4] Risks include malnutrition, cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, gastritis, stomach ulcers, alcoholic liver disease,[5] certain types of dementia, and several types of cancer, including oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and female breast cancers.[6] In addition, damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system (e.g., painful peripheral neuropathy) can occur from chronic heavy alcohol consumption.[7][8] There is also an increased risk for accidental injuries, for example, those sustained in traffic accidents and falls. Excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on aging.[9] The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol.[10] In addition, the developing fetal brain is also vulnerable, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) may result if pregnant mothers consume alcohol. Some nations have introduced alcohol packaging warning messages that inform consumers about alcohol and cancer, and about risk of fetal alcohol syndrome for women who drink while pregnant.[11]

Conversely, light intake of alcohol may have some beneficial effects. The association of alcohol intake with reduced cardiovascular risk has been noted since 1904[12] and remains even after adjusting for known confounders. Light alcohol intake is also associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes,[13] gastritis, and cholelithiasis.[14] However, these are only observational studies and high-quality evidence for the beneficial effects of alcohol is nonexistent.[15] Alcohol does have psychosocial benefits such as stress reduction, mood elevation, increased sociability, and relaxation,[3] but it is unclear if these outweigh the confirmed increase in the risk of cancer.[15]

  1. ^ "No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health". www.who.int.
  2. ^ GBD 2020 Alcohol Collaboration (July 2022). "Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020". The Lancet. 400 (10347): 185–235. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00847-9. PMC 9289789. PMID 35843246.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference pmid11199274 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Caan, Woody; Belleroche, Jackie de, eds. (11 April 2002). Drink, Drugs and Dependence: From Science to Clinical Practice (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 19–20. ISBN 978-0-415-27891-1.
  5. ^ Cargiulo T (March 2007). "Understanding the health impact of alcohol dependence". Am J Health Syst Pharm. 64 (5 Suppl 3): S5–11. doi:10.2146/ajhp060647. PMID 17322182.
  6. ^ Cheryl Platzman Weinstock (8 November 2017). "Alcohol Consumption Increases Risk of Breast and Other Cancers, Doctors Say". Scientific American. Retrieved 13 November 2018. In fact, alcohol consumption is known to increase the risk of several cancers, including head and neck, esophageal, liver, colorectal and female breast cancers.
  7. ^ Müller D, Koch RD, von Specht H, Völker W, Münch EM (1985). "Neurophysiologic findings in chronic alcohol abuse". Psychiatr Neurol Med Psychol (Leipz) (in German). 37 (3): 129–132. PMID 2988001.
  8. ^ Testino G (2008). "Alcoholic diseases in hepato-gastroenterology: a point of view". Hepatogastroenterology. 55 (82–83): 371–377. PMID 18613369.
  9. ^ Stevenson JS (2005). "Alcohol use, misuse, abuse, and dependence in later adulthood". Annu Rev Nurs Res. 23: 245–280. doi:10.1891/0739-6686.23.1.245. PMID 16350768. S2CID 24586529.
  10. ^ Guerri C, Pascual MA (2010). "Mechanisms involved in the neurotoxic, cognitive, and neurobehavioral effects of alcohol consumption during adolescence". Alcohol. 44 (1): 15–26. doi:10.1016/j.alcohol.2009.10.003. PMID 20113871.
  11. ^ "Cancer warning labels to be included on alcohol in Ireland, minister confirms". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Belfast Telegraph. 26 September 2018.
  12. ^ Cabot, R.C. (1904). "The relation of alcohol to arteriosclerosis". Journal of the American Medical Association. 43 (12): 774–775. doi:10.1001/jama.1904.92500120002a.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Schrieks2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Taylor B, Rehm J, Gmel G (2005). "Moderate alcohol consumption and the gastrointestinal tract". Dig Dis. 23 (3–4): 170–176. doi:10.1159/000090163. PMID 16508280. S2CID 30141003.
  15. ^ a b Fekjær, Hans Olav (December 2013). "Alcohol—a universal preventive agent? A critical analysis". Addiction. 108 (12): 2051–2057. doi:10.1111/add.12104. ISSN 0965-2140. PMID 23297738.