Rethinking Alcohol: A New Perspective on Brain Health

Alcohol Under the Microscope

Once thought to have potential benefits, especially in red wine, alcohol is now being closely looked at for its possibly harmful effects. A study that came out recently in eClinicalMedicine is making some waves and changing the conversation, showing that alcohol is bad for the brain, even when consumed in small amounts or on special occasions.

This earth-shattering research contests old-age beliefs and provokes a necessary and critical discussion about the real effects of drinking on mental and physical health.

The Harsh Reality: Even One Drink Poses Risks

An in-depth look at a recent study reveals a sobering truth: not a single drop of alcohol is safe for the human brain. Even one drink can set a person on the path toward dementia. The study’s correlation was unequivocal, its methods crystal clear. Smart folks using genetic analysis and advanced statistics found that the more U.S. residents drink, the more their brains start to fall apart— and not in ways that are funny or good.

This study is especially significant because it goes against earlier findings that claimed moderate or light drinking was good for protecting the brain. Those previous results were probably influenced by something researchers call “abstainer bias.” That is where the baseline group used in the study (and all the health ratings that follow) are non-drinkers. But, not drinking isn’t a healthy brain choice. Non-drinkers often are in poor health and abstain due to various health conditions. Using that group as a baseline really skews the perception of how harmful (or not harmful) alcohol is.

Data from the UK Biobank, a long-term health study that follows the environmental and genetic health factors of its participants, form the basis of the analysis. Alcohol was consumed by 313,000 people from England who were part of the study. They enrolled in the years 2006 to 2010. Biobank participants have been tracked over time, which has allowed researchers to examine the effect of alcohol on the appearance and development of dementia.

A Warning for Occasional Drinkers

Investigations show that ethanol is a CNS depressant. Its taken in large volumes might lead to atrophy of the brain and an enhanced risk of dementia. Ethanol depresses brain function, and with this comes a reduction in nerve cell size, and this is more pronounced in the hippocampal region—the area of the brain responsible for memory.

The brain’s capacity to produce neurons necessary for good memory and thinking is also affected by alcohol. It also affects the levels of crucial vitamin B, which is necessary for brain energy and cognitive functions.

Alcohol affects the brain, but it also increases the likelihood of more than 60 diseases. Some of the conditions it heightens the risk for are surprising, considering that past research has linked moderate drinking to some heart benefits. So just how does alcohol harm both the brain and body? What’s going on when someone downs a few drinks?

The Devastating Affects Of Alcohol On The Human System

Notwithstanding the 60 diseases mentioned above, more than 200 health conditions altogether  are associated with drinking too much, nearly every organ and system in the body.

Though some ill effects of alcohol are well-established (e.g., most people know that it’s bad for the liver), recent studies have broadened the adverse health portrait of alcohol, naming even more maladies that it can cause or exacerbate. Here are some of the key health problems tied to chronic high consumption:

Cancers:

Cancers of the head and neck: the use of alcohol raises the risk of cancers in the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx.

Esophageal Cancer: In particular, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with alcohol drinking.

Liver Cancer: The long-term consumption of alcohol can result in liver cancer.

Breast cancer: Women can elevate their risk of this cancer, even slightly, by consuming alcohol.

Drinking alcoholic beverages increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum.

Cardiovascular Diseases:

High blood pressure can be a consequence of drinking too much alcohol.

Heart Disease: Numerous heart diseases are linked with excessive alcohol consumption.

The risk of stroke goes up when you drink alcohol.

Liver Diseases:

Hepatitis due to Alcohol: Inflammation of the liver caused by drinking too much alcohol.

Scar tissue develops in the liver because of too much drinking.

Cirrhosis: Progressed scarring of the liver that results in liver failure.

Pancreatic Diseases:

Induced by alcohol, the inflammation of the pancreas can become a chronic condition.

Neurological and Mental Health Disorders:

Mental health conditions can be made worse by abusing alcohol.

Cognitive decline and dementia are tied to long-term, chronic alcohol use.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Injury to peripheral nerves that leads to weakness and pain.

Gastrointestinal Disorders:

Gastritis: Alcohol inflames the stomach lining.

Digestive tract bleeding: Alcohol has the ability to induce bleeding in the digestive tract.

Immune System Suppression:

Heightened Vulnerability to Infections: The immune system is weakened by alcohol, which makes the body more susceptible to infection.

Endocrine Disorders:

Sugar Diabetes: The blood-alcohol concentration is determined by how much and how fast one drinks, combined with body weight and the amount of food in the stomach.

Bone Diseases:

Osteoporosis: Decreased bone density can result from drinking too much alcohol over a long time.

Reproductive Health Issues:

Being unable to conceive: Alcohol can influence the hormones and functions needed for reproduction.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): Drinking alcohol when pregnant can lead to the fetus developing serious problems.

Additional Health Concerns:

Being overweight: What you eat and drink adds extra calories, contributing to excess weight.

Sleep Disorders: Disrupted sleep patterns are caused by alcohol and can lead to insomnia.

Dermatological Disorders: Drinking in excess can lead to skin problems, such as rosacea.

The amount and duration of drinking raise the risk of developing these conditions. However, even moderate drinking poses certain health risks. And no level of alcohol consumption appears to be completely safe, recent studies suggest.

To fully grasp the extent of the health hazards linked to alcohol, one can turn to resources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which offer in-depth information.

Healthier Alternatives to Alcohol

To achieve the best possible health, pure water or water infused with organic lemon or lime is the ideal selection, providing hydration and a delightful taste with none of the threats linked to consuming alcohol.

Sources

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol’s Effects on Health – Medical Complications and Common Alcohol-Related Concerns
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol’s Effects on the Body
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): About Alcohol Use
• Mayo Clinic: Alcohol – Does Drinking Have Health Benefits?

 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is for
educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.