The real effects that alcohol has on your health

Drinking a few drinks is a common way for many people to relax or socialise. However, how frequently do we think about how such drinks affect our bodies both now and in the future?

Even though a casual glass of wine or beer might seem innocuous, it's important to understand how alcohol affects our health. Whether you're a heavy drinker or a casual drinker can affect their impact.

It could be time to talk to someone or cut back if you're noticing that alcohol is affecting your health.

These are five ways that drinking might impact your health.

The brain

The brain's neurotransmitters and circuits can be altered by alcohol consumption, which can alter mood, behaviour, memory, and coordination.

According to Kim Goldin, senior general practitioner and health assessment physician at Nuffield Health, "it's interesting that neurotransmitters function in opposite ways, so while drinking can induce feelings of calm and relaxation, it can also act as a stimulant, making us less alert."

"Prolonged use can lead to poor absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, like thiamine and magnesium, and a buildup of toxins in the brain."

According to Dr. Goldin, alcohol can have an impact on the heart and circulatory system by raising blood pressure, weakening the heart's muscles, or altering its rhythm.

This can eventually result in major health problems like heart failure,

stroke, excessive blood pressure, and cardiomyopathy, a condition affecting the heart muscle.

According to her, drinking alcohol can also boost the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and strokes when paired with high blood pressure.

The digestive system and stomach

Alcohol can lead to gastritis, which is characterised by increased acid production that irritates the stomach lining and causes nausea and discomfort.

Dr Donald Grant, a general practitioner and senior clinical consultant at The Independent Pharmacy, states that drinking can also raise the risk of bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation.

"Prolonged drinking can raise the risk of stomach and colon cancer or cause more serious problems like pancreatitis."

Liver

Dr. Grant explains that drinking can cause the liver to become irritated or dehydrated, which can worsen hangover symptoms the next day.

"However, when a person continues to have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, the most devastating effects on the liver occur over time." As people continue to drink, their risk of developing hepatitis, fibrosis, or liver cancer increases, among other serious health problems. The liver may completely fail in the worst situation.

The immune system

"Our body's ability to fight off infection becomes inhibited while under the effects of alcohol, with the production of white blood cells reduced," Dr. Grant explains.

"This implies that drinking may increase our chance of getting sick."

According to Dr. Grant, prolonged alcohol consumption can impair the immune system by raising the risk of diseases like pneumonia and generating chronic inflammation.

Important actions that people can take to lessen the risk of alcohol-related harm Cut back on your weekly intake

"Getting closer to 0 units can help reduce your risk because the 14-unit [NHS] guidelines aren't a target," says Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK. "The risk is significantly lower for anything under four units per week."

Spread out your weekly alcohol intake for the week. "Per the Chief Medical Officer's recommendations, have multiple days without alcohol rather than one or two heavier drinking occasions, and make sure no day surpasses five units (six units or more)." binge-drinking in one day," suggests Dr. Piper.

Enjoy a few weeks without alcohol.

"It's not necessary to have alcohol every week," Dr. Piper explains. "A great way to reduce alcohol consumption is to abstain for one or two full weeks each month."

Choose alcohol-free or low-strength substitutes.

According to Dr. Piper, "trying lower-strength or non-alcoholic options can help you reduce this harm because it is the alcohol in drinks that causes harm."

Keep track of your units.

Dr. Piper advises, "You can learn more about what you're consuming and how it might be impacting your health and wellbeing by tracking and monitoring your drinking habits, using an app like Try Dry, and deciding if you want to make any changes."