1. Effects on Bones :
Heavy
alcohol consumption has been shown to have a damaging effect on the cellular
processes that create bone tissue,
and long-term alcoholic consumption at high levels increases the frequency of fractures.
Epidemiological studies
(studies done by interviewing subjects and studying their health records) have
found a positive association between moderate alcohol consumption and increased
bone mineral density (BMD). Most of this research has been conducted with
postmenopausal women, but one study in men concluded that moderate consumption
of alcohol may also be beneficial to BMD in men.
2. Drinking Wine
:Risk factor for specific cancers :
A: Cancers of the
mouth, esophagus, pharynx, and larynx
Oral
cancer, Esophageal
cancer, Head and neck cancer and Laryngeal
cancer
National Cancer Institute states "Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, and liver in men and women, … In general, these risks increase after about one daily drink for women and two daily drinks for men. (A drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.) … Also, using alcohol with tobacco is riskier than using either one alone, because it further increases the chances of getting cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus."
The
International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) Consortium
co-ordinated a meta-study on the issue. A
study looking at laryngeal cancer and beverage type concluded, "This study
thus indicates that in the Italian population characterized by frequent wine
consumption, wine is the beverage most strongly related to the risk of
laryngeal cancer."
A
review of the epidemiological literature published from 1966 to 2006 concluded
that:
·
The
risk of esophageal cancer nearly doubled in the first two years following
alcohol cessation, a sharp increase that may be due to the fact that some
people only stop drinking when they are already experiencing disease symptoms.
However, risk then decreased rapidly and significantly after longer periods of
abstention.
·
Risk
of head and neck cancer only reduced significantly after 10 years of cessation.
·
After
more than 20 years of alcohol cessation, the risks for both cancers were
similar to those seen in people who never drank alcohol.
A
study concluded that for every additional drink regularly consumed per day, the
incidence of oral cavity and pharynx cancers increases by 1 per 1000. The
incidence of cancers of the esophagus and larynx increase by 0.7 per 1000.
A
2008 study suggests that acetaldehyde (a breakdown product of alcohol) is
implicated in oral cancer.
B: Breast cancer:
Mastectomy
specimen
containing a very large cancer of the breast (in this case, an invasiveductal carcinoma).
Alcohol
is a risk factor for breast cancer in women.
C: Colorectal cancer:
Colectomy
specimen
containing an invasive colorectal carcinoma(the
crater-like, reddish, irregularly-shaped tumor).
Drinking
may be a cause of earlier onset of colorectal cancer. The
evidence that alcohol is a cause of bowel cancer is convincing in men and
probable in women.
The
National Institutes of Health, the
National Cancer Institute, Cancer
Research, the American Cancer Society, the
Mayo Clinic, and
the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, American
Society of Clinical Oncology and
the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
list
alcohol as a risk factor.
A
WCRF panel report finds the evidence "convincing" that alcoholic
drinks increase the risk of colorectal cancer in men at consumption levels
above 30 grams of absolute alcohol daily. The National Cancer Institute states,
"Heavy alcohol use may also increase the risk of colorectal cancer"
A
2011 meta-analysis found that alcohol consumption was associated with an
increased risk of colorectal cancer.
D: Liver cancer:
Alcohol
is a risk factor for liver cancer, through cirrhosis.
"Cirrhosis
results from scar formation within the liver, most commonly due to chronic
alcohol use."
"Approximately
5 percent of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer. Cirrhosis is a disease
that develops when liver cells are replaced with scar tissue after damage from
alcohol abuse, …"
The
NIAAA reports that "Prolonged, heavy drinking has been associated in many
cases with primary liver cancer."
However, it is liver cirrhosis, whether caused by alcohol or another factor,
that is thought to induce the cancer."
A
study concluded that for every additional drink regularly consumed per day, the
incidence of liver cancer increases by 0.7 per 1000.
In
the United States, liver cancer is relatively uncommon, afflicting
approximately 2 people per 100,000, but excessive alcohol consumption is linked
to as many as 36% of these cases by some investigators
"Overall, 61% of HCC were attributable to
HCV [hepatitis C virus], 13% to HBV [hepatitis B virus], and 18% to heavy
alcohol drinking." A
study in the province of Brescia,
northern Italy concluded, "On the basis of population attributable risks
(AR), heavy alcohol intake seems to be the single most relevant cause of HCC in
this area (AR: 45%), followed by HCV (AR: 36%), and HBV (AR: 22%)
infection."
E: Lung cancer:
Alcohol
intake of more than 2 drinks per day is associated with a small increased risk
of lung cancer.
Commenting on a study by Freudenheim et
al.,
R. Curtis Ellison MD writes, "This study, like others, suggests a weak,
positive association between consuming larger amounts of alcohol (>2 drinks
a day) and lung cancer risk."
F: Skin cancer:
G: Stomach cancer:
"Statistically
significant increases in risk also existed for cancers of the stomach, colon,
rectum, liver, female breast, and ovaries."
"While
alcohol has been extensively studied as a cause of stomach cancer there is no
conclusive evidence that it increases risk. However, results from at least
three studies suggest that heavy alcohol consumption may increase the risk of
stomach cancer in heavy smokers."
Consumption of 50g or more per day increases risk.
H: Endometrial cancer:
Alcohol
has been identified as a risk factor for endometrial cancer. Data however, on
the association of alcohol intake and endometrial cancer is conflicting. Where
data exists for an association low to moderate intake of alcohol, (less than
two drinks per day) is not associated with an increased risk but an association
has been suggested for higher alcohol intake. "Our
results suggest that only alcohol consumption equivalent to 2 or more drinks
per day increases risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women."
"In
conclusion, our results suggest
that
low alcohol consumption (up to one drink per day) is unlikely to substantially
influence risk of endometrial cancer."
I: Gallbladder cancer:
Alcohol
has been suggested as a risk factor for gall bladder cancer. Evidence
suggests that a high intake of alcohol is associated with gall bladder cancer.
Men
may be at a higher risk of alcohol-related gallbladder cancer than women.
J: Ovarian cancer:
"Thus,
the results of this study suggest that relatively elevated alcohol intake (of
the order of 40 g per day or more) may cause a modest increase of epithelial
ovarian cancer risk.". "Associations were also found between alcohol
consumption and cancers of the ovary and prostate, but only for 50 g and 100 g
a day."[83] "Statistically
significant increases in risk also existed for cancers of the stomach, colon, rectum,
liver, female breast, and ovaries."
"Thus,
this pooled analysis does not provide support for an association between
moderate alcohol intake and ovarian cancer risk."
K: Prostate cancer:
"Data
from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study showed only a weak association
between overall alcohol intake and prostate cancer risk."
Alcohol
consumption of 50 g and 100 g per day is associated with cancers of the
ovary and prostate. However,
one study concludes, that moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of
prostate cancer. Liquor, but not wine or beer, consumption was positively
associated with prostate cancer."
A meta analysis of
studies published in 2009 found that consumption of only 2 standard drinks per
day increased the cancer risk by 20%.
L: Small intestine
cancer:
A
study of small intestine cancer patients reported that alcohol consumption was
associated with adenocarcinomas and malignant carcinoid tumors.
"In
men and women combined, a significant 3-fold increased risk in heavy drinkers
(80+g ethanol/day) relative to more moderate drinkers and non-drinkers was
observed."
"Alcohol
and tobacco consumption did not increase the risk of adenocarcinoma of the
small intestine. … While the present data are inconsistent with a major effect
of tobacco or alcohol, a moderate association between these factors and small
bowel cancer may have been obscured by the play of chance."
M:Leukemia:
Intake
of alcohol during pregnancy has been associated with childhood leukemia. A
review published by the National Cancer Institute placed maternal alcohol
consumption during pregnancy in the category of "suggestive" but
concluded that the risk was not important.
N: Pancreatic cancer:
Whilst
the association between alcohol abuse and pancreatitis is well established the
association between alcohol consumption and pancreatic cancer is
less clear. Overall the evidence suggests a slightly increased risk of
pancreatic cancer with chronic heavy alcohol consumption but the evidence
remains conflicting with a number of studies finding no association., but
no increased risk for people consuming up to 30g of alcohol a day.
Some
studies suggest a relationship, the
risk increasing with increasing amount of alcohol intake. The
risk is greatest in heavy drinkers,
mostly on the order of four or more drinks per
day. There appears to be no increased risk for people consuming up to 30g of
alcohol a day, which
is approximately 2 alcoholic beverages/day, so
most people who take alcohol do so at a level that "is probably not a risk
factor for pancreatic cancer".
A
pooled analysis concluded, "Our findings are consistent with a modest
increase in risk of pancreatic cancer with consumption of 30 or more grams of
alcohol per day".
O: Cervical cancer:
A
study concluded "that alcoholic women are at high risk for in
situ and
invasive cervical cancer" but attributed this to indirect,
lifestyle-related reasons.
Ductal
carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer:
"DCIS
patients and control subjects did not differ with respect to oral contraceptive
use, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol consumption or smoking history, or
breast self-examination. Associations for LCIS were similar."
P: Vaginal cancer:
A
study concluded that alcoholic women are at high risk for cancer of the vagina. In
both studies, indirect, lifestyle-related reasons were cited.
3.Cardiovascular system Disorder:
Studies
have shown that heavy drinkers put themselves at greater risk for heart
disease
and developing potentially fatal cardiac
arrhythmias.
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause higher blood pressure, increase cholesterol
levels and weakened heart muscles. Studies have shown that moderate wine
drinking can improve the balance of low-density
lipoprotein
(LDL or "bad" cholesterol) to high-density
lipoprotein
(HDL "good" cholesterol), which has been theorized as to clean up or
remove LDL from blocking
arteries. The main cause of heart
attacks
and the pain of angina
is the lack of oxygen caused by blood
clots
and atheromatous
plaque
build up in the arteries. The alcohol in wine has anticoagulant
properties that limits blood clotting by making the platelets
in the blood less prone to stick together and reducing the levels of fibrin
protein that binds them together.
Professional
cardiology associations recommend that people who are currently nondrinkers
should not start drinking alcohol.
4.Dementia and
mental functions:
Long-term effects of heavy drinking can inhibit new brain cell development and
increase the risk for developing major
depressive disorders.
Studies have linked moderate alcohol consumption to lower risk of developing Alzheimer's
and dementia
though wine's role in this link is not yet fully understood.[9]
A 2009 study by Wake
Forest University
School of Medicine suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may help healthy
adults ward off the risks of developing dementia but can accelerate declining
memory for those already suffering from cognitive
impairment.
The reason for the potential positive benefit of moderate consumption is not
yet identified and may even be unrelated to the alcohol but rather other shared
lifestyle factors of moderate drinkers (such as exercise or diets). If it is
the moderate consumption, researchers theorize that it may be alcohol's role in
promoting the production of "good cholesterol" which prevents blood
platelets from sticking together. Another potential role of alcohol in the body
may be in stimulating the release of the chemical acetylcholine
which influences brain function and memory.
5. Diabetes:
Research
has shown that moderate levels of alcohol consumed with meals does not have a
substantial impact on blood
sugar
levels. A 2005 study presented to the American
Diabetes Association
suggest that moderate consumption may lower the risk of developing Type
2 diabetes.
The
anti-bacterial nature of alcohol may reduce the risk of infection by the Helicobacter
pylori bacterium that has been associated with stomach
cancer
as well as gastritis
and peptic
ulcers.
The
anti-bacterial nature of alcohol has long been associated with soothing stomach
irritations and ailments like traveler's
diarrhea
where it was a preferred treatment to the less palatable bismuth
treatments.
The risk of infection from the bacterium Helicobacter
pylori,
strongly associated with causing gastritis
and peptic
ulcers
as well as being closely linked to stomach cancer, appears to lessen with
moderate alcohol consumption.A German study conducted in the late 1990s showed that non-drinkers had
slightly higher infection rates of Helicobacter pylori than moderate
wine and beer drinkers.
Wine's
positive effects on the metabolism of cholesterol
has been suggested as a link to lower occurrences of gallstones
among moderate drinkers since cholesterol is a major component of gallstones.
6.Headaches:
There
are several potential causes of so-called "red wine headaches",
including histamines/tyramines and the breakdown of some phenolic
compounds in wine
that carry the chemical messenger for serotonin. One culprit that is regularly dismissed by allergists
as an unlikely cause of red wine headaches is sulfites
which are used as a preservative
in wine. Wine, like other alcoholic beverages, is a diuretic
which promotes dehydration
that can lead to headaches (such as the case often experienced with hangovers). In 2006, researchers from the University
of California, Davis
announced finding from genetic
mapping
that amino
acids in wine
that have been slightly modified by the fermentation process may be the cause
of wine related headaches. The research suggest changes in fermentation
techniques may help alleviate the risk for wine drinkers sensitive to these
amino acids.
7. Sleep Deficiency :
Many people feel a
bit drowsy when consuming wine. This happens because alcohol is not digested
but moves directly through the stomach lining and wall of the small intestine
into the bloodstream. Once alcohol gets into the bloodstream, it goes into
every cell of the body, depressing cellular activity. But this drowsy feeling
is short-lived and one or more drinks before bedtime can result in a lighter
sleep versus deeper, more restful sleep. Staying physically active and reducing
your alcohol consumption can help you get better sleep.
8. Obesity :
For some people, one
glass of wine can turn into a whole bottle. One 5 ounce glass of dry wine has
on average about 100 calories. A 12 ounce wine cooler is higher with about 180
calories on average. But some fortified wines and dessert wines containing
distilled spirits have even more calories. So while one to two glasses of wine
at about 200 calories can fit into your daily caloric goals, keep in mind that
drinking is linked to increased consumption of food and a decreased rate of
exercise. Half a bottle of wine everyday over a week period adds up to 1,750 of
mostly nutrient-free calories.
9. Heart Disease :
Moderation is
important. Up to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men may
provide the associated health benefits, like lowering risk for heart disease.
But when drinking habits become higher, you can put yourself at risk of heart
disease. Too much alcohol intake can lead to a rise in blood pressure, result
in heart failure or lead to a stroke. Additionally, high intake can result in
increased triglycerides and an irregular heartbeat. For those really interested
in a healthy heart, focusing on eating well and exercising has been shown to
improve heart health at higher rates than the addition of a glass of wine
daily.
10. Fertility :
Although the
potential harmful effects of alcohol during pregnancy, such as birth defects or
low birth weights, are well known, less well-known are the effects on males.
For men, excessive alcohol intake can result in lowered testosterone levels,
slowed motility of the sperm and erectile dysfunction. So it is important for
both men and women who are attempting to conceive to reduce or even stop their
intake of alcohol.
10. Pancreatitis :
Excessive alcohol
intake, including wine, can lead to acute pancreatitis. If you already have
chronic pancreatitis, it can worsen the symptoms. An article in the July 2007 Journal
of Pancreatology states "Although the association between alcohol
consumption and pancreatitis has been recognized for over 100 years, it remains
still unclear why some alcoholics develop pancreatitis and some do not.
Surprisingly little data are available about alcohol amounts, drinking
patterns, type of alcohol consumed and other habits such as dietary habits or
smoking in respect to pancreatitis preceding the attack of acute pancreatitis
or the time of the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis." But reducing or abstaining
from alcohol may prohibit recurrent acute pancreatitis and reduce the amount of
pain caused during chronic pancreatitis.
Wine : Side Effects on Your Body